Woman jailed following fatal collision - Larling

A woman who ploughed into the back of a motorcyclist killing the rider moments after she zoomed in on a selfie on her mobile phone has been jailed.

Amber Potter, aged 23, of Livingstone Road, Norwich, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday 5 June and admitted to death by dangerous driving.

She has been jailed for three and a half years and disqualified from driving for 45 months.

The court heard how Potter had been travelling on the A11 to Norwich from Glastonbury on Wednesday 15 September 2021 in a Vauxhall Corsa when she went into the back of a Lambretta scooter at around 9.25pm.

Emergency services attended and despite efforts to save him David Sinar, aged 64, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

He had been driving home having purchased the scooter in Bournemouth earlier that day.

A statement read to the court on behalf of David’s wife Joanne said losing him had made life “unbearable”, robbed his teenage son of his dad, and left his 97-year-old mother heartbroken.

“Dave was my best friend, my soul mate and since losing him has made life unbearable, not knowing how to cope with the future without him,” the statement added.

No defects were found to either vehicle and neither had been travelling at excessive speed.

Forensic analysis of Potter’s mobile phone showed multiple interactions during her journey.

These included taking selfies, chatting on Facebook Messenger, and sending texts and audio clips.

Because the device was set to “do not disturb” it was said the user “went out of their way” to use it.

The last known interaction with her phone began less than 85 seconds prior to her calling 999 in the aftermath of the collision.

The forensic expert concluded that the collision occurred solely as a consequence of the driver of the Vauxhall failing to identify a hazard, in this case the Lambretta, in a timely manner.

In interview she said the scooter had “come out of nowhere” and given her no time to react.

She said she was playing music from her Spotify account which was programmed to change automatically and that she had Google maps running.

She denied touching her phone at the time of the collision but was unable to explain how she failed to see the scooter before it was too late.

Staff supervisor Andrew Hughes of the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “This tragic case highlights the devastating effects drivers who interact with their mobile devices whilst driving have on others.

“It is the reason it features in the ‘fatal four’ offences and continues to be a focus for police.

“It is a selfish and needless act which has severe consequences for so many people.

“My condolences go to Mr Sinar’s family.

“Their victim personal statements which came from all generations of the family

were hugely moving and highlighted from the knock on the door, to the current

day, how they struggle to come to terms with the death of a man who was such

a huge influence on so many people.”

The family of David Sinar have asked us to share a tribute written in their own words and some new images of him.

On the night of 15 September 2021 our lives changed forever. 

Losing Dave (David) has utterly devastated our family. 

Dave was the glue that held the family together. 

What Dave didn’t know about life wasn’t worth knowing. 

He was a devoted family man. 

Always there to lend a hand, dishing out advice. 

He was a strong character and never shied away from the challenges that life brought. 

The words “you can’t do that” or “that’s impossible” were not words to be used in the presence of Dave.

Having ridden a push bike from an early age, he was a dedicated cyclist ridingall over the world covering thousands of miles, helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity whilst using his passion and love of two wheels. 

Having recovered from prostate cancer and operation just five weeks later he was back on the saddle of his bike riding from one end of Britain to the other.  

And his other passion of two wheels were his motor bikes and motor scooters, owning everything from Harley Davidsons to Lambretta Scooters. 

He was a very experienced rider. 

He enjoyed the freedom that the bikes brought, being in the open air and riding through the countryside.

Losing his own dad at an early age he was determined that his own son would have the love and guidance that he lost as a teenager. 

But now his son finds himself in exactly the same position, growing up without his father figure. 

Not having a dad to share his achievements with, telling about the job that he helped him find. 

And me, I’ve lost my soul mate, no longer having the security of that arm around my shoulder telling me that life is going to be ok. 

No longer do I have the urge to ride my bike, there’s not much point without my co-pilot.

His brother and sister have lost their older brother, unable to pick up that phone to chat and re-live childhood memories or just to put the world to rights.   

And his mum, who is totally heartbroken, at 97 wakes up every day unable to comprehend that she will no longer see Dave. 

His mum moved to Norfolk a number of years ago to be closer to Dave and so that in her Autumn years of life he could be there for her. 

But now she is here without her son. 

Dave’s sister regularly makes the journey to see her mum, more so now that she has become frail, but she cannot bring herself to use the road where Dave lost his life. 

No mum should ever have to say goodbye to their child whatever their age. 

Having only just lost my own dad, Dave’s father in law, Dave had stepped in helping my mum undertake the DIY chores around the house and again supporting us all emotionally. 

He was a very big part of many people's lives, not just family but work colleagues and close friends. 

So many people far and wide were touched by the loss of Dave.

And yet every minute of every day there is still someone out there behind the wheel of their vehicle, using their mobile phone. 

What will it take for drivers to sit up and listen and realise that using a mobile phone whilst driving is illegal?

How many more deaths and how many more families are going to have to go through what we have before they take responsibility for their actions?

And it’s not just young drivers, it's drivers of all ages. 

Is that text message really that important?  Do you really need to make that call?  

Every time I pick up the paper or read online, there’s yet another death. 

Too many people are losing their lives down to the incompetent drivers that consistently abuse the rules of the road.

Maybe it's time for change, perhaps a new law needs to be introduced? 

If caught using a mobile phone whilst driving the offender loses their licence? 

Will that make them listen? 

Will that save lives?  We need a "David's Law" - You offend and you are punished.

We will never forgive Amber Potter for her selfish actions that night and for her conduct following the accident and are disappointed with yesterday's sentence.

Maybe now she will realise that life doesn’t revolve around social media, you don’t need to send that message, or take pictures. 

When you get behind that wheel of your car you are responsible for your actions and if not, you have to accept the consequences.