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The Royal Mail driver, who had been waving to someone while behind the wheel, had a ‘momentary lapse of concentration’ which led to the man suffering life-changing injuries
A Royal Mail delivery driver’s “momentary lapse of concentration” led to a motorcyclist suffering “catastrophic injuries” in a crash, a court has heard. Lance Reynolds was driving a white Royal Mail delivery van in Bangor, Gwynedd when the crash took place.
He had just waved to a colleague on the left hand side of the road before making a right turn off Penchwintan Road on November 9, 2024. As he made the manoeuvre he struck a Honda 125cc motorbike being driven by Richard Williams.
Elen Owen, prosecuting, said Mr Williams was thrown off the bike and across the street, where he struck a garden wall and suffered multiple fractures.
He was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Stoke University Hospital, where he stayed for months receiving treatment and surgery, before being transferred to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.
Such was the seriousness of the injuries to Mr Williams’ right leg it had to be amputated below the knee, changing his life and having a devastating impact on his family, reports North Wales Live.
He also had spinal surgery and had plates inserted in his right arm, said Ms Owen. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
Reynolds, 35, of Stanley Avenue, Valley, Holyhead, who had no previous convictions, admitted dangerous driving and was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday.
A victim impact statement from Mr Williams said he still suffers “endless phantom” pain in his amputated lower leg as well as back pain. He had been getting about on crutches which caused pain to his arms and wrists.
Mr Williams said he had suicidal thoughts following the crash and his children had been left distressed by the situation. His mental health has suffered, the family has suffered financial hardship and he had needed help to carry out some everyday tasks, the court also heard.
Mr Williams has anxiety, is on medication and has been diagnosed with PTSD. He’s now learning to walk with a prosthetic limb. He was a former Welsh champion boxer, but no longer feels himself.
Dafydd Roberts, defending, said Reynolds had done everything he could to assist Mr Williams after the collision. Mr Roberts highlighted that Reynolds had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and was genuinely remorseful for what happened and had written a letter to the victim.
It was a “momentary lapse of concentration” that had resulted in “catastrophic consequences”, the court heard. Reynolds was assessed as low risk of reoffending and Mr Roberts suggested the judge could suspend any inevitable prison sentence.
Judge Timothy Petts said Mr Williams had suffered “life-changing injuries, with impacts physical, psychological, social and financial, which had devastated him and impacted his whole family”.
However the incident was a “very short period of inattention, with horrendous consequences, but it was not deliberate or prolonged”. Reynolds also had empathy for what had happened to Mr Williams, having been involved in a very similar accident years ago.
He sentenced Reynolds to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He will have to carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and will have a 7pm to 7am curfew for four months. He must also pay a statutory surcharge.
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