Driver had been 'typing in satnav' before crash
Preston Crown Court heard a transcript of a police statement given by the defendant’s brother Neil Harwood after the incident, in which he said his brother was ‘punching in an address’ when he heard a ‘bang.’
However, in court yesterday, Neil Harwood said his brother David had been on his way to visit a woman he had met online when he crashed into the 15-year-old on his bike.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe incident happened on a dark country lane in Whitestake, near Preston.
He told the court: “He (David) said he had been travelling down the road that night and heard a bang but he hadn’t seen anything.”
Neil took his brother to hand himself into police the day after the incident in 2016.
He added: “He said he had been in touch with a lady on Facebook and he was going to her house.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDavid Harwood, 42, of The Close, New Longton, denies causing death by dangerous or careless driving.
Dylan, a promising junior footballer, died the day after the accident from severe head and neck injuries.
He had been cycling with a friend along Wham Lane in Whitestake at around 11pm on Friday, October 7, 2016 when the collision happened.
Cross-examining, prosecuting barrister Jeremy Grout-Smith then read out the statement which Neil Harwood had given to police following the crash.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe read: “David told me and Dad that he was punching in the satnav and the next thing he knew was bang.”
Mr Grout-Smith then asked Neil Harwood if he stood by the police statement he gave at the time.
Mr Harwood he said: “I can’t be certain.”
(proceeding)