Driver failed to spot motorcyclist before pulling out of drive, court hears

A young driver killed a motorcyclist when she pulled out of her farmhouse home – and failed to spot him riding up a country lane, a court heard on Monday June 12.

Rhiannon Bartlett, 24, was driving as slow as 6mph but did not stop for oncoming rider Ian Edwards.

Mr Edwards, 50, was estimated to be riding at between 20 and 25 mph in the 60mph zone at the time.

Prosecutor Heath Edwards said the motorcyclist tried to swerve to avoid Bartlett’s Mini One but struck it straight on and was thrown from the bike.

Heath Edwards said: “Miss Bartlett pulled her car from the driveway of the farm where she was living onto the lane. As she did so she pulled her vehicle into the path of Ian Edwards.

“He had no opportunity to avoid her, there was a collision, he was thrown from his motorcycle and he subsequently died.”

The court heard Bartlett stayed on the scene while her mother attempted CPR on Mr Edwards.

Mr Edwards said Bartlett was turning left in her car onto Ty Canol Lane in Machen when she pulled into the motorcyclist’s path.

He said: “It was the responsibly of Miss Bartlett that as she was pulling onto the lane to ensure there were no other vehicles already on that main road travelling in the opposite direction to her.

“As Miss Bartlett drove onto the lane she should have seen Mr Edwards on his motorcycle. She could see at least 50 metres to her left down the lane.

“Whilst the speed limit for the lane is 60mph, Mr Edwards was not travelling at anything close to that.

“For whatever reason on this particular morning, tragically she didn’t see Mr Edwards on his motorcycle. Instead she drove her car out into the lane, thus becoming an obstacle in the path of the motorcycle.

“He tried to swerve his motorcycle but was unable to successfully avoid a collision with Miss Bartlett’s Mini.

“He struck the front of the vehicle and was thrown from the motorcycle and unconscious on the floor.

“She very quickly called 999 and explained he was flying off of the motorcycle and was lying on the floor.”

Bartlett is accused of causing death by careless driving on September 15, 2021 as she left her house at 9.20am.

Cardiff Crown Court heard when paramedics arrived Bartlett’s mum was performing CPR on Mr Edwards but he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Heath Edwards said they estimated she had a view of about 50 metres and that a motorcycle travelling at 25mph would have taken 4.4 seconds to reach the point of impact.

“Even if she only saw the vehicle over 40 metres if it was travelling at 25mph she would have still had 3.58 seconds in which to see that vehicle and had the opportunity to brake and to avoid the collision.

“The prosecution say she didn’t take adequate care when pulling out of the mouth of her farm into the lane which was being driven down by Mr Edwards.”

Bartlett, of Machen, denies causing death by careless driving of Mr Edwards, of Graig-y-Rhacca.

The trial, expected to last five days, is ongoing.