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Cyclist Charlotte killed by driver who jumped red light
Jack Lefley, Evening Standard6 Feb 2008
A mother has told how her cyclist daughter was killed by a driver who sped through a red light.
Charlotte Morse died when Kerry Smith jumped traffic lights in her Smart car and ploughed into the 27-year-old as she crossed a busy road.
Today Charlotte's family spoke for the first time about their agony as Smith launched a court bid to have her jail term cut.
Smith, 24, was travelling at 45mph in her Smart car, with two teenagers crammed in the back, when she hit Miss Morse in Talgarth Road, Hammersmith, in October 2006.
Charity worker Charlotte, who lived in Acton, hit the windscreen before being thrown onto the road. She was pronounced dead at the scene by an air ambulance doctor.
Smith, who had no previous convictions and a clean licence, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for 21 months at Isleworth crown court in November.
Miss Morse's mother criticised Smith's application to the Appeal Court to reduce her sentence, saying it showed a lack of remorse.
Juliet Morse said: "This woman was driving recklessly and my daughter died because of that. If she had been driving at 30mph and paying attention then Charlotte would probably still be alive today.
"A 21-month jail sentence is a small price to pay for taking my daughter's life. Sentences are far too short for drivers who kill cyclists anyway.
"Nothing will bring Charlotte back. But the appeal shows she lacks any remorse or understanding of what she has done to us."
Smith, of Brentford, was an instructor ofArmy cadets and was driving with two teenage cadets at the time of the accident.
She failed to stop at the red light at the junction with Gliddon Road before she hit Miss Morse.
When she was interviewed by police she insisted the light was green. But witnesses said that it had been red for at least 20 seconds when she went through.
Social worker Mrs Morse, 52, of Stroud, Gloucestershire, told of the terrible toll the tragedy had taken on Charlotte's father, Robert, and her sisters Carole, 36, and 27-year-old Jessica.
Backing the Standard's Safer Cycling campaign, Mrs Morse said: "When her father was suffering with cancer she was so great. She just took over and did everything. She would have walked over hot coals to help her family."
She added: "Charlotte loved music, films and her computer. She could have spent all day on her computer.
"Her death has been catastrophic for all of us. I have not been able to work full time since."
Smith was also banned from drivingfor three years and told she would have to take an extended driving test before returning to the road.
Sentencing her at the time, Judge Usha Karu said: "Miss Morse was 27 years old and just beginning to make a life for herself. She was a much-loved member of her family and her loss has had a profound impact on her parents and siblings."
She added: "Motorists must realise that if they drive dangerously and kill someone they are in danger of a sentence of imprisonment. You too will have to live with the consequences of your actions."
Reader views (10)
omg ive only just seen this im so sorry for their loss i knew charlotte from wen we went to school together and can still remember her fav sayin IM BORED u will be missed mate rip.
- Sally Zarzyna, wrexham wales, 21/06/2009 11:52
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This is a terrible tragedy. I feel for both families. I am sure that Kerry will suffer over this for the rest of her life, and I know this will never bring Charlotte back. However, I can relate to the experience of one moment changing the rest of your life, and the effect this can have on the rest of your family and I would just like Ron to know that there are people who, if were more honest, would admit that the exact same thing could easily happen to them. God Bless to all.
- Andrea Mcfarlane, Buxton, Derbyshire, 18/02/2009 23:25
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I would like to comment on the above. As the father of Kerry smith must say it is unfair of people to comment and criticise something that they read in a newspaper. Firstly as for being selfish can someone tell me what purpose does it serve keeping her in prison as she is living with this for the rest of her life whether she is in prison or not. As for showing no remorse have these people who are criticising spoken to Kerry to see how she feels. So until you have first hand knowledge kindly keep your opinions to yourself. As for Chris Nightingale, do you know the background? She had no say in the appeal it was decided by the Barrister that an appeal should occur as he said owing to Kerry unblemished character and remorse the sentence was far too severe. The Prosecuting Barrister even agreed that the sentence was too harsh. As for people saying that she is selfish she has probably done more for young kids in the community than you have ever done, so who is the selfish one. She has been filled with remorse since this has happened. At the end of the day this was a tragic accident. Have you never done anything on the road that could have resulted in an accident? With you acting as Judge and Jury I would hope that I am never in the Dock before you because without hearing any evidence I would be guilty before a word was spoken.
- Ron Smith, Brentford Middx, 12/02/2008 11:02
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I'm both a regular driver and a cyclist and am amazed at all the anti-cyclist reports that make the headlines, many of which mention cyclists running red lights.
Never have I seen anything about the frequency of cars doing this, nor does there seem to be any enforcement and yet it witness it almost daily.
- Dan, London, 06/02/2008 15:37
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This woman is asking for her sentence to be cut. How dare she. She has cut short the life of a young woman and yet still she thinks only of herself. In my opinion, she should have been put away for several years at least..
- Chris Nightingale, Watford, Herts, 06/02/2008 15:11
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Maybe, just maybe, for once, an Appeal Court will increase that stupid, reckless, couldn't care less driver's sentence to 5 years and even then that would not be long enough.
- Mj, East Anglia, 06/02/2008 15:07
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I hope her sentence is not cut-she should at least serve the time she was given and by appealing she shows little empathy for the family of the woman she killed.
when she gets out she still has a life and if it's hard for her because of her prison sentence then so be it.
- Daisy, sheffield, 06/02/2008 14:06
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This kind of behaviour makes me sick.
I have been cycling everyday in London for the past 12 years and have had my share of hits and near misses. Some my fault others the fault of people like this.
She should be thanking her lucky stars she only got 21 months, of which she will serve 15 at most.
If I were the judge I would double her sentence for showing a total lack of remorse. That would soon shut her up!
We need to make an example of these people not let them off the hook time and again
- Michael Cooper, London, 06/02/2008 13:59
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There is a busy crossroads with traffic lights in Sidcup High Street and you still have to check the traffic flow even after the lights have turned red as about half the time I cross, a car will ignore the lights or has built up such a speed approaching the lights, in an attempt to beat the change, that there is no going back! Even worse in the wet weather as the cars do not slow down and you can get soaked head to toe while waiting to cross.
- Charioteer, Sidcup, England., 06/02/2008 12:46
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We should follow Americas lead in this area and introduce a vehicular manslaughter charge. Only then will people be given the jail sentences they deserve.
- Mark Yacards, London, 06/02/2008 12:34
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