An emotional Natalie Read cried as she was cleared of two offences of causing death by careless driving following a trial at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court
A mum involved in a horror car smash wept in court as she was cleared of killing two young friends travelling on an off-road bike.
Harry Atkinson and Lewis Meeson died after their motorbike, which Mr Meeson was riding as a pillion passenger, collided with Natalie Read’s Ford Kuga on Good Friday in 2022. The trio were travelling in Royton, Oldham when prosecutors alleged Ms Read turned into the path of the 20 and 21-year-old’s bike, which Manchester ’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard was not road worthy and travelling over the speed limit. Ms Read, who told police she hadn’t seen the bike until the crash, has been found not guilty of two offences.
Manchester Evening News reports she was cleared of two offences of causing death by careless driving and cried as she was told she could leave the dock.
Ms Read had told the court she was a “very careful and cautious driver” who had simply not seen either Mr Atkinson or Mr Meeson before the fatal crash en route to get her hair done three years ago.
Jurors heard she had also undergone “impairment” tests at the scene of the crash, where both men died, all of which were negative.
She told police in an interview that she only became aware of the pair’s motorcycle when they collided, but accepted visibility was good and that she was “unable to explain” why she hadn’t seen the bike beforehand.
Trial Judge Maurice Greene first expressed his condolences to the families of Harry Atkinson and Lewis Meeson, calling the case “tragic”, and adding that “no one is suggesting that anyone went out that day with any intention to cause harm to anyone else”. He added: “It is likely to challenge you emotionally.”
He added that Ms Read “thinks about the collision everyday”. He said: “On April 15 she had a hair appointment. She said she checked her mirror and didn’t see the bike, she can’t explain why. She said she wouldn’t have turned if she saw the bike.
“She said she was not distracted by anything. She didn’t know where the bike had come from. She said she wasn’t taking a chance. She intended to turn right and nothing was there.”
John Dye, representing Ms Read, said in his closing speech that hid client had commited “no criminal act”, adding: “This was not a crime, this was a tragic, tragic accident. It’s as simple as that.”
Ms Read, of Luzley Brook Road, Royton, was found not guilty of two counts of causing death by careless driving.