Uninsured Motorcyclist Jailed Over Fatal Collision with 92-Year-Old Pedestrian

An uninsured motorcyclist has received a prison sentence for causing the death of a 92-year-old man after losing control of his motorcycle and colliding with him. Police reported that Alfie Wheatley was operating his Aprilia motorbike at nearly twice the legal speed limit in Riddings, Derbyshire, when he struck pedestrian Gordon Elliott on 19 August 2023. While attempting to pass a line of vehicles, Wheatley crashed into the front of a car and subsequently lost control, resulting in both him and his bike hitting the great-grandfather, who was on his customary mile-long walk to his local post office and newspaper shop. Mr Elliot succumbed to his injuries in hospital. On Friday, Wheatley was sentenced to six years in prison at Derby Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Derbyshire Police stated that Wheatley, 21, residing at Spring Road in Riddings, was captured on CCTV operating his motorbike in a “reckless” manner demonstrating a “callous disregard for anyone else”, travelling at 52mph (83km/h) within a 30mph (48km/h) zone. Upon approaching Greenhill Lane, he did not observe a Jaguar making a right turn and collided with its front while trying to overtake the line of traffic, prior to fatally striking Mr Elliot. Mr Elliot is survived by three sons, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. However, his family conveyed that “the saddest aspect” was the loss for his wife of nearly 70 years, Brenda. They characterized Mr Elliot as his wife’s “soul mate, her rock for financial stability and mental support through their old age”. The family’s statement further noted: “She feels lost, bewildered and questions why this terrible event happened to him.” The family acknowledged that many individuals unfamiliar with Gordon might not find the passing of a 92-year-old man particularly surprising. Nevertheless, they emphasized that Gordon was a resolute individual who frequently expressed his ambition of reaching 100 years old and receiving his letter from the Queen, whom he had proudly served whilst in the armed forces. Gordon maintained a high level of activity, as evidenced by his final journey, walking the mile to his local post office and newspaper shop in Riddings, the place where he and Brenda had resided throughout their married life. The family stated: “For Gordon to die so suddenly we could accept, but to be taken so tragically and horrifically, we unfortunately cannot and we as a family hope that justice is served not just for Gordon, but for all the good people who should be able to enjoy a walk in their local village without fear of being taken away.”