A motorist from Exeter who killed a cyclist after knocking him off his bike on Dartmoor has been handed a suspended jail sentence and driving ban.
A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for causing the death of a cyclist while driving in Dartmoor, Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard, writes Isabelle Pinnock, OPCC court reporting scheme.
Jack Price, 24, of Okehampton Road, Exeter, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving from August 4, 2024.
Blue Ramsey, 52, who was fatally injured in the collision, was described by his family as an “honourable husband, dad, and employer.”
The court heard that Blue, a father of four, was cycling with friends on the A382 near Chagford on the day of the incident.
As the cyclists passed the Mill End Hotel, they encountered two vehicles parked by the roadside, with Price’s vehicle, a red Peugeot, parked behind them.
Blue and the two other cyclists veered to the centre of the carriageway to safely pass the cars. Price did not see them approaching and began to carry out a three-point turn into the road.
Blue had no time to avoid Price’s car and was knocked off his bike as he collided with the nearside of the vehicle.
An air ambulance was dispatched, and Blue was taken to hospital in Plymouth. Despite the best efforts of medics, Blue died on August 21, 2024.
Anna Ramsey, the partner of the deceased, recalled Blue leaving on the morning of the incident: “I called after him ‘lots of love and go carefully’. I prefer to think of him like that. Happy and full of life like he was that morning.”
They had been together for 35 years since the age of 17.
The defence emphasised that Price was 22 at the time of the incident, and noted his conduct at the scene, including staying with the victim and ensuring emergency services had been called.
“He is a young man who is full of remorse for the consequences of his driving that day,” Price’s lawyer said.
Sentencing, District Judge Stuart Smith said: “When you saw Mr Ramsey and the cyclists approaching, it was too late to do anything. He had no opportunity to avoid you.”
The judge noted that Price’s view was partially obstructed by the parked cars and that he did not have a “clear view”, but that he failed to appreciate the danger of the manoeuvre.
“This was not a moment of unavoidable error,” the judge said. “This was a tragic collision that occurred because of a failure to take proper care on the road. The consequences of that failure have been permanent and devastating for Mr Ramsey’s family…There is no sentence I can impose today that would begin to compensate for that loss.
“It is clear that the extent of the loss of Mr Ramsey weighs heavily on you. At no stage have you sought to minimise your actions, nor have you focused on self-pity… You have consistently expressed genuine concern for his family. The anguish and remorse you have expressed is both heartfelt and sincere.”
Price was sentence to six months in custody, suspended for a period of 12 months. He must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, eight rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay court costs and a surcharge. He was banned from driving for 15 months.
