Motorcyclist in fatal crash ‘may have reached 80mph in 30mph zone’

A motorcyclist who was involved in a fatal crash in East Sussex has been jailed for dangerous driving. Aaron Barrett reached dangerously high speeds through Fox Way, Portslade[1], in April last year. Witnesses saw the 32-year-old riding alongside another motorcycle rider, and the two men appeared to be “racing” each other.

One witness said: “It was crazy how fast they were going.” Tragically, the other rider, a 33-year-old man from Southwick,[2] collided with an oncoming vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Barrett was himself seriously injured and was arrested in hospital.

Barrett was disqualified at the time of the incident and told officers while under caution that he may have reached 80mph in the 30mph zone. At Lewes Crown Court[4] on April 17 this year, he admitted a charge of dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison and was further disqualified for four years and eight months.

The court was told about how the incident unfolded on April 16, 2022, at about 4.30pm. Witnesses described hearing the loud noise of motorcycles revving[5], and then a loud bang. The two motorcycle riders were seen “down low, in a racing position”.

One witness said Barrett’s riding “showed no consideration for anyone else, and no consideration that other people could be using the road.” Barrett, formerly of North Road, Brighton, was still disqualified after offences committed on October 20, 2020. A blood test showed he was also over the limit for cannabis in his system. He tested positive for 3 microgrammes (mcg) of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the chemical breakdown of the class B drug) per litre of his blood.

The legal limit is 2mcg per litre of blood. A separate inquest hearing will be held in connection with the death of the 33-year-old rider. It is listed to take place in June.

References

1. ^ Portslade (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Southwick, (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Sussex Police offers GBP1k reward for information on wanted man after offences in Eastbourne (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Lewes Crown Court (www.sussexlive.co.uk)
5. ^ motorcycles revving (www.sussexlive.co.uk)