Verdict expected on driver in Rotherham midwife death crash

A JURY is expected to rule today whether a man who knocked down and killed a popular midwife was guilty of causing her death by careless driving.

Jeffrey Walton (51) told Leeds Crown Court yesterday that sunlight meant he could not see anything for around three seconds before his car hit cyclist Maria Micklethwaite.

Mrs Micklethwaite, who had only married a few months before, had delivered more than 200 babies at Rotherham Hospital.

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The 36-year-old, who was from Carlton, Barnsley, was killed when her bicycle was involved in a collision with Walton’s Ford Focus at South Heindley, near Wakefield.

Walton, of Station Road, Ryhill, denies causing death by careless driving.

Ms Sophie Drake, prosecuting, said Mrs Micklethwaite was a keen cyclist, was wearing a helmet and dressed appropriately at the time of the collision.

She said: “The weather was bright and dry but significantly the sun was sitting very low in the sky and was very bright, and because of its position restricted a driver’s view.”

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Mrs Drake said because of the weather conditions Walton should have slowed down or stopped his vehicle.

Walton told the court he had used his arm to shield the sun for his eyes for around three seconds before the collision.

He said: “I looked up the road and I couldn’t see anything coming.”

The jury has retired to consider its verdict.