Van driver was utilizing telephone earlier than crash which killed a grandfather, 76

A van driver who was using his phone at the wheel when he killed a motorbike-riding 76-year-old grandfather in a crash on the M6 has been jailed for 40 months.

Jesse Rees, 27, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, collided with John Stanley as he rode his Honda motorbike on the motorway on April 23 last year.

Despite being treated by medics, Mr Stanley, 76, sadly passed away from his injuries in hospital a day after the tragic incident, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Investigators later found that just minutes before the smash at around 8.10pm, Rees had opened and closed ‘numerous’ apps on his phone. 

Rees, from Penrith, was today sentenced to 40 months in prison. He was also given a six-year driving ban as part of his sentence and must also sit an extended re-test before being able to drive again. 

Rees claimed during his police interview that he may have ‘accidentally’ accessed the apps after he tried to pick up the device, which had fallen into his footwell.

But investigators disputed this suggestion after finding at least nine separate actions were required by Rees to account for what occurred with the phone.

Later, the 27-year-old admitted the charge and was today sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.

Mr Stanley’s grieving family said in a statement after the hearing that the ‘beloved’ grandfather’s death had left a void that would ‘never be filled’.

They said: ‘Today, justice was served as the young man responsible for the tragic death of our beloved Dad was convicted for death by dangerous driving.

‘His decision to use his mobile phone while driving caused the collision that tragically resulted in the loss of our Dad.

‘This conviction marks the end of a long and painful chapter for our family.

‘Our Dad was truly ‘one in a million’, who lived life to the full. He was taken from us far too soon and the grief we feel is beyond words.

‘He was a loving husband, father, brother, granddad and friend to all, whose presence brightened the lives of everyone who knew him.

‘His sudden and senseless death has left a void that can never be filled.

‘As a family, we are glad that this criminal process is finally behind us, allowing us to begin to heal from this tragic loss.

Mr Stanley’s family also said the case served to demonstrate the horrific consequences that could result from using phones while driving.

They added: ‘The court’s decision reaffirms what we have always known: our Dad was not at fault.

‘While no sentence can ever bring him back, we hope this conviction serves as a stark reminder of the importance of not using a mobile phone while driving and helps prevent other families from enduring the heartache we are experiencing.’

The court heard how Rees was driving a Peugeot Bipper van when he collided with John’s motorbike between junctions 41 and 42 of the M6, near Carlisle, Cumbria.

Witnesses described seeing the van close up to the rear of the motorbike prior to the collision before it hit the motorcycle from behind.

This then sent the bike and rider crashing onto the road.

A forensic collision investigator for Cumbria Police found there was no physical evidence at the scene to indicate any pre-impact braking.

And after his phone was examined, they concluded that Reese was distracted by the device – giving him no chance to react to the situation on the road in front of him.

In his police interview, Rees accepted he had accessed his phone to check the time but said it then fell into the footwell, and he had feared it would go under his pedals.

He had told officers: ‘I looked down to see where it was and when I looked up the motorbike was on me. I slammed on my brakes and made a collision with the bike.’

And when he was asked about using the apps, he said he couldn’t recall doing that, adding it may have happened accidentally whilst he tried to pick up his phone.

In a later interview when he was further challenged on his account, he replied ‘no comment’ before finally admitting the charge.

Detective Sergeant Deborah Story, of Cumbria Police, said the tragedy had been ‘entirely avoidable’.

She said: ‘This was a terrible but entirely avoidable tragedy which resulted in an entirely innocent and blameless motorcyclist losing his life.

‘There is no excuse for allowing yourself to become distracted at the wheel, to the point of taking your eyes of the road.

‘All drivers should take steps to prevent themselves becoming distracted by their mobile phone.

‘A simple solution is to hand your phone to a passenger whenever you get behind the wheel or, if driving along, place your phone in the glove box so it is out of sight and out of mind.’