Court finds driver guilty of causing motorcycle accident
A young woman has been found guilty of driving without due care and attention and causing an accident which left a Swindon motorcyclist with life-changing injuries.
Sarah Gill appeared at Chippenham Magistrates Court yesterday (1 February 2017) following an accident in Tewkesbury Way near Mannington Roundabout in Swindon during the morning rush hour on 12 February last year.
Ms Gill was driving a grey Vauxhall when she collided with 38-year-old father of two, Ben Sibley, who was riding a friend’s motorbike to work.
Mr Sibley was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by Wiltshire Air Ambulance where he remained for almost two months. He suffered multiple injuries in the accident, including a significant brain injury, fractured skull, facial injuries, fractures to his left arm and shoulder and a ruptured spleen.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Sibley’s wife Lorraine, said: “We are very pleased with today’s verdict. No sentence will change what has happened but we can get some small comfort from knowing that the driver has been held accountable for what happened that day.
“Ben’s accident has turned our world upside down. Not only has Ben suffered significant injuries but the impact on him and our family has been devastating. We just have to wait and see what the future holds but it’s not easy and it’s difficult to come to terms with what’s happened, knowing that it could so easily have been avoided.”
The family’s solicitor, Stuart Brazington, a specialist brain injury lawyer at RWK Goodman, who was present at today’s hearing, said: “This continues to be an extremely difficult time for the Sibley family who are trying to move on with their lives, despite the challenges. The accident happened on a particularly dangerous stretch of road, notorious for its accidents, and we hope that steps will now be taken to deal with some of the issues. Our thanks go to Wiltshire Air Ambulance for the incredible job they did in saving Ben’s life at the scene, as well as Wiltshire Constabulary who have been supportive throughout.”
Swindon-based law firm RWK Goodman is pursuing a claim for compensation on behalf of Mr Sibley for the significant injuries he sustained as well as other costs including his future care and loss of earnings.
Please note: The Sibley family do not wish to be contacted by members of the media. However, their solicitor Stuart Brazington, is available for interview.