Police in Kent investigating the deaths of two cyclists on a Sunday morning ride in Kent have charged a man with causing death by dangerous driving, as well as fleeing the scene and drug offences.
The fatal collision took place at 7.47am on Sunday 6 September. A white Ford Focus was being driven south westerly along Sole Street in Cobham, towards the village of Meopham, near Gravesend, and the driver collided with three cyclists.
Emergency services attended, and confirmed that two of the three cyclists – one a man in his 60s and the other a woman in her 50s – were pronounced dead at the scene. The other cyclist was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and their injuries are described as minor.
Following the fatal crash, Kent Police made three arrests, confirming on Monday that two men aged 20 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A 19-year-old woman was also detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
On Wednesday, the police announced that Aaron Turner, a 22-year-old from Higham, has since been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision, and possession of a class C drug. He has been remanded into custody, appearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
A 21-year-old man and 19-year-old woman have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Kent Police says it is continuing to appeal for more witnesses, and has asked anyone with information to call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) appeal line on 01622 798538, or email sciu.td@kent.police.uk, quoting the reference RY/KA/072/26.
It has also asked motorists who may have useful dashcam footage or residents with private CCTV that could assist enquiries to upload it to the Kent Police and Essex Police evidence submission portal.
The MP for Dartford, Jim Dickson, posted on his Facebook page after being informed of the incident: “Such awful news about the death of two cyclists, one of which I understand was a very much loved Swanscombe resident.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of those involved, and the whole community who will be affected by this loss.”
13 thoughts on “Motorist charged after two cyclists killed in suspected hit-and-run Kent collision”
How many times does this have to happen before action is taken. These poor people were likely cycling enthusiasts who thought going out early on a Sunday was the safe option. So sad but so unsurprising. RIP – it could be any of us.
I think it will happen many more times.
@Rome73 Undoubtedly, and a substantial contributing factor is the unwillingness of Kent Police to connect the dots between incidents of dangerous driving in which serious consequences were evaded by luck alone and the fatalities/injuries that occur when luck runs out. It is highly unlikely that a driver who causes serious injury was driving dangerously for the first time in their life. But if a case of dangerous driving causes no physical injury to a cyclist, Kent Police have no interest in pursuing the matter, even when the dangerous driving was captured on crystal-clear video.
Agree, I’ve submitted reports and heard nothing. You can’t send video in until Kent ask for it. I think they just aren’t bothered.
I think early on a Sunday morning can be one of the most dangerous times to cycle.
Drivers coming back from parties after drugs / booze / little sleep, drivers on the way home after a night shift ; perhaps taking the opportunity to drive faster because the roads are quiet. The sun low in the sky.
I would certainly think twice before entering an early Sunday or Saturday morning dual carriageway time trial. I have read of a few TT riders killed at such times. I recall reading on this website about a driver who hit and killed a time trialist from behind in an early morning event (on the A1 I think). In court they claimed that the cyclist had “Come out of nowhere.” I don’t think drugs, booze, mobiles were involved but the motorist was jailed.
@Mr Blackbird There is far less traffic in the early hours of the weekend but as you say, it attracts a certain type of moron. Certainly at the moment with the sun so low there were plenty of places on my last ride where I wondered just how likely a knob driving too fast on one of our twisty little lanes was to see me.
I’m assuming from that specific police link to these two killings, that Essex and Kent forces share the same ‘shut-out’ policy over video evidence of road traffic offences/ incidents: you can’t submit evidence until they magnanimously award you a link. Is this true, Essex cam-riders out there? It’s not obvious that this policy is more hostile to cyclists than the Lancashire one where you can send any number of videos, but they proudly announce that they’re far too busy to look at most of them and they go straight in the bin.
I cycle there a lot and I am shook. Lovely country lanes, generally pretty quiet (esp. on a Sunday morning), beautiful area. This is terrifying and feel so sad for the people affected by this.
@xinnix83 shocked or shaken?
@Didsbury Both. Sorry, English not my first language.
@Didsbury Just for interest, as a slang term using “I was shook” to mean “I was shaken” or “I was shocked” has quite a long history; it comes from African-American patois and can be seen, for example, in the Elvis song “All Shook Up” (written by an African-American in 1957). In recent years it’s become more common due to its use in rap music. Personally I wouldn’t use it because nothing looks more ridiculous than a 57-year-old white man trying to pretend he’s down with the kids but it is a recognised slang term acknowledged in major dictionaries, e.g. Oxford: Shook (colloq.) Emotionally or physically disturbed, upset.
I lead Sunday morning rides through Sole Street sometimes, and I’ve hardly seen a car at all on those roads. On the A and B roads, yes, but on those little roads, no. it’s so sad and horrible to hear about this.
I hope the third rider recovers ok. But they will always remember that day.
I think the motor cycle and car driving tests
Should include a practical test that lorry drivers do to (SUD) appreciate how vulnerable you are as a cyclist. Put everyone on a cycle stationary with your food on the kerb and have a vehicle drive past them at various speeds 20/30/60mph at 1.5 meters from the handlebars.
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