Simon Jones A259 cyclist crash death: James MacKie accused

James MacKie is alleged to have either driven dangerously or carelessly on the A259 at Wick.

Cyclist Simon Jones, 48, was riding tight against a white line, and two motorists had used the outside lane to overtake him.

But motorist Lee Hodgett said he looked in the mirror of his Mazda and saw a white Volkswagen swerving towards the cyclist, knocking him onto the bonnet.

Mr Jones was sent flying, and died from his injuries.

But MacKie, now aged 95, claimed he had not seen the cyclist, and did not notice as Mr Jones went over his bonnet.

Lewes Crown Court heard how he continued his journey to his golf club without stopping in Worthing Road in August 2019.

James MacKie is accused of causing death by either dangerous or careless driving after cyclist Simon Jones, 48, died on the A259 Worthing Road, Wick

MacKie is now too frail to stand trial himself, but a jury is being asked to decide if he caused Mr Jones’s death by driving dangerously or carelessly.

Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, said the incident took place at 6.20am on August 1, 2019 on the road past the Body Shop Roundabout.

James MacKie is accused of causing death by either dangerous or careless driving after cyclist Simon Jones, 48, died on the A259 Worthing Road, Wick

It was a bright morning and visibility was good, the sun would have been over the tree line by the time of the incident, there were no road defects and there were no vehicle defects.

She said MacKie’s Volkswagen had struck the pedal cycle of Mr Jones, and said the jury have to consider if the pensioner’s driving was “below the standard of a competent and careful driver” for careless driving or “far below” that standard for dangerous driving.

James MacKie is accused of causing death by either dangerous or careless driving after cyclist Simon Jones, 48, died on the A259 Worthing Road, Wick

Ms Beckett said Mr Hodgett had seen and passed Mr Jones safely. She said: “As he moved back across the lane he checked his mirrors.

“He describes seeing a sudden, jerk movement by the defendant’s vehicle that swerved to the left and hit the cyclist, like a reactive move.

“He saw the cyclist going onto the bonnet of the car and into the air. He pulled over, but saw the defendant’s car then drive past him.”

Another witness Scott Horwood said he saw MacKie’s vehicle and said the driver appeared “slow and hesitant”.

James MacKie is accused of causing death by either dangerous or careless driving after cyclist Simon Jones, 48, died on the A259 Worthing Road, Wick

Road crash experts were called in and said the pedal cycle had been dragged along during the incident.

Damage was caused to MacKie’s vehicle, and at his golf club he was later arrested.

MacKie, of Cherry Croft, Wick, denies causing death by careless or dangerous driving and is represented by Daniel Frier.

Judge Christine Laing QC is presiding over the short trial which is expected to finish on Friday, March 19.