Tragic End on Cornish Road: Liskeard Man Receives Suspended Sentence in Road Fatality Case

Photo: Rohan Hicks

In a ruling at Truro Crown Court today, 31-year-old Lawrence King from Liskeard has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence for causing the death by driving without due care.

The incident, which occurred on the B3252 at Horningtops in June last year, tragically ended the life of 21-year-old Royal Navy Air Engineering Technician, Rohan Hicks.

Fateful Night on Cornish Road

On the night of 29 June 2022, Lawrence, astride a red Honda FES Pantheon motorbike, was part of a convoy that included three cars travelling from Looe. It was reported that he overtook a member of the public at a bend, a manoeuvre that forced the other driver to slow down to allow Lawrence to rejoin the lane safely.

Tragedy struck when Lawrence attempted to overtake the cars he was travelling with. In doing so, he entered the opposite carriageway and collided with Rohan’s grey Lexmoto Venom motorbike, which was coming from the opposite direction. Rohan, hailing from Looe, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Aftermath and Court Proceedings

Lawrence sustained life-threatening injuries in the accident, from which he later recovered. In a police interview in March 2023, he recounted the fatal moment, stating he had attempted to brake and return to his lane but failed to do so in time. The forensic collision investigation confirmed Lawrence was entirely in the wrong lane at the time of the collision.

Pleading guilty at a previous hearing, Lawrence’s conviction has led to a suspended sentence and a five-year driving disqualification, reflecting the gravity of the consequences of his actions on the road.

A Call for Safe Driving

PC Helen Lentern, a Serious Collision Investigator, commented on the case, stressing the importance of safe overtaking practices. She advised drivers and riders to ensure clear roads ahead and to avoid overtaking in uncertain or risky conditions, highlighting the critical need to adhere to safe driving practices to prevent such tragedies.

Family’s Heartache

The family of Rohan paid a moving tribute to their lost son, expressing the profound grief and ongoing emotional pain his absence has caused. They remembered him as a driven and thoughtful individual, whose life was brimming with potential. His loss, they noted, has deprived them of future joys and the broader community of his expected contributions.

Reflections on a Tragic Event

Today’s sentencing brings a degree of closure to a heart-wrenching episode, yet it also serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of driving. As the community reflects on the consequences of the events that led to Rohan’s untimely death, the hope remains that such incidents will lead to greater awareness and adherence to road safety, sparing others the immense loss endured by Rohan’s family.