Driver who hit mother and child when trailer 'jack-knifed' is banned from road

27-year-old ordered to pay woman compensation after crash

A motorist from Andreas who hit a mother whilst she was out walking with her baby has been banned from the road.

David Ronald Atherton, of Kiondroghad Road, was told he must have had a ‘momentary lapse’ of concentration during sentencing at Douglas Courthouse.

The 27-year-old was driving his Toyota Hilux Invincible, on Johnny Watterson’s Lane, at around 11.30am on 15 June.

But he clipped the kerb and the trailer he was towing ‘jack-knifed’ – mounting the pavement and striking the woman and her 11-month-old child.

Atherton was arrested and told police he’d been driving at between 25 and 30mph at the time adding: “Until I actually stopped, I didn’t realise I’d hit her.”

He later admitted to causing serious bodily harm by driving without due care or consideration.

The woman spent 16 days in hospital after suffering serious injuries including multiple fractures to her pelvis, lacerations and chipped teeth.

The court had previously heard she has no recollection of what happened; her daughter was not injured but her pram was destroyed.

A victim impact statement, written by the woman, was read to the court – she revealed she’s now heavily reliant on her family to help her with ‘basic tasks’ following the crash.

“I can’t pick up, or carry, my daughter,” she wrote, adding that her mother had given up work to help care for her granddaughter.

Doctors estimate it will take another six to 12 weeks for her injuries to fully heal and have advised that she will likely suffer from arthritis in her hip as a result.

Atherton’s advocate told the court: “Other than the trailer coming off the road there is no other criticism of his driving.”

Fining Atherton £1,300, and ordering him to pay £1,449 in compensation, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told him: “That momentary lapse has had a significant effect.”

Atherton was banned from driving for 12 months and until he’s taken and passed an extended test – he will also have to pay prosecution costs of £125.