A driver from South Tyneside has been found guilty of causing the death of a motorcyclist on Christmas Day.
Susan Gourley, 53, was driving her red Hyundai I3 when she collided with the blue Suzuki CNZR 1600 motorbike which Michael Crooks, 32, was riding near the Quorn factory in Billingham, Stockton. Mr Crooks died at the scene, following the collision at around lunchtime December 25, 2020.
Gourley, of Ellison Street in Jarrow, denied causing Mr Crook's death by careless driving. However a jury at Teesside Crown Court returned a guilty verdict just before 1pm on Thursday afternoon.
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The court previously heard how Gourley "ignored warning signs" in the moments before a fatal crash. The jury heard how she felt there was something "unusual" about the motorcycle which she had spotted before choosing to pull out at the junction of Nelson Avenue onto Belasis Avenue.
Summing up Gourley's evidence from the witnesses box, Judge Jonathan Carroll reiterated how she told the jury at the court in Middlesbrough: "I was confused as to why there was nothing there".
The court heard how Mr Crooks had been driving at an average speed of 115mph in the final 600metres before the crash. Gourley, who worked at the Quorn factory, said she continued to look both ways before crossing the junction and there was nothing there.
He said: "She had a sixth sense, some kind of warning there, that 'something was not quite right here' even though she had not quite figured out what it was."
The court heard how Mr Crooks had been driving at an average speed of 115mph in the final 600metres before the crash. Gourley said she continued to look both ways before crossing the junction and there was nothing there.
The jury heard how the defendant had spotted a helmet across the field which she says appeared to be "zig zagging". She continued to make her way down the road to the junction without stopping and was travelling at 15mph when she crossed the give way lines.
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said: "There were a number of warning flags that she was aware of and sadly she ignored. She knew there was a motorcycle on that road. The behaviour of the motorcycle, for whatever reason, she was concerned about. She told us in her evidence that she was confused about it."
The court heard how Gourley was driving her vehicle home, having clocked off early from work. CCTV showed she didn't stop at the junction before turning and colliding with Mr Crooks.
Mr Perks told the court: "She told the police that as she approached the junction she actually considered whether she should stop and let the motorcyclist go past. Those are warning flags that a competent and capable driver would have listened to."
He said all of her decisions were made "on the move" but the defence barrister, summing up his case, has asked the jury to consider whether a careful and competent driver could expect a motorcyclist travelling at on average 115mph - and at times higher - on a 40mph road.
Stephen Constantine, defending, told the jury: "It's clear that she knew there was a motorcyclist and at the time he was at the edge of the woods. His Honour directs you that 'sometimes people go a bit too quick' the direction also deals with this: what warning of the motorcyclist's presence and speed did she have.
"She was aware of his presence but she told the police officer it was a long way off. What warning did she have that he was travelling at the speed the experts say he must have been travelling 115mph - that's the average. What allowances does a careful and competent driver make?"
Mr Constantine said there was "grossly excessive speed involved". He added: "The average here is nearly double the national speed limit, possibly more. Is that something a reasonable, careful and competent driver could expect someone to be driving at - three times the speed limit - as they made that judgement call."
The court previously heard how Mr Crooks, who was under the influence of cannabis, died instantly in the crash. Gourley will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on February 10 next year.
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