'Idiotic' drink-driver jailed for causing death of motorcyclist

A Plymouth man has been jailed after admitting to causing death by careless driving whilst over the drink-drive limit. Stuart Lithgow, 43, formerly of Frizington, Cumbria, but now of Saltash Road in Keyham, collided with motorcyclist Raymond Hammil on the 5300 near Maryport Golf Club on September 11, 2022.

Mr Hammil, 75, suffered severe injuries in the collision and was airlifted to hospital. He died on 14 September 2022, three days after the collision. Undergoing a roadside breath test at the scene, Lithgow was at more than twice the legal limit for alcohol.

Witnesses said Lithgow was driving in an aggressive manner ahead of the collision, with one describing his driving as “idiotic” and recalling how they had told their partner moments before the crash: “I don’t know what he is playing at. He will cause an accident.”

In his police interview, Lithgow had told officers he had been drinking the night before but couldn’t understand why he was still over the limit. He denied he had drunk alcohol the day of the collision.

Lithgow admitted the offence last month and was sentenced today (October 25) at Carlisle Crown Court to six years in prison. He will also be banned from driving for six years upon his release and must sit an extended test to regain a license.

Detective Sergeant Deborah Story of Cumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was a completely avoidable and tragic collision which resulted in a man suffering horrendous injuries and ultimately losing his life.

“The driver was significantly over the drink-drive limit at the time of the collision and multiple witnesses described him driving aggressively, particularly in his over-taking, prior to colliding head-on with Mr Hammil’s motorbike. There was nothing Mr Hammil could do to avoid the collision.

“It is my hope that this case at least serves as a reminder to all road users of the dangers of driving whilst impaired by drink or drugs.”