THE family of a man who died after a woman crashed while sending a winking selfie to her boyfriend said they'll never forgive his killer, SWNS reporter Faye Mayern writes.
David Sinar, 64, was knocked from his scooter and died from his injuries following the crash on a dual carriageway at Roudham, Norfolk.
Norwich Crown Court heard on Wednesday (June 5) how Amber Potter, 23, exchanged a series of messages with her partner and took photos at the wheel while on a journey from Glastonbury to Norfolk.
She was jailed for three and a half years for causing his death by dangerous driving after she knocked David Sinar from his Lambretta with her Vauxhall Corsa.
The court heard she was in the process of sending a selfie picture of her sticking her tongue out and winking to her boyfriend.
David 'Dave' Sinar's family have now paid tribute to him: "On the night of 15 September 2021 our lives changed forever.
"Losing Dave (David) has utterly devastated our family. Dave was the glue that held the family together. What Dave didn’t know about life wasn’t worth knowing.
"Having recovered from prostate cancer and operation just five weeks later he was back on the saddle of his bike riding from one end of Britain to the other.
"And his other passion of two wheels were his motor bikes and motor scooters, owning everything from Harley Davidsons to Lambretta Scooters. He was a very experienced rider.
"Losing his own dad at an early age he was determined that his own son would have the love and guidance that he lost as a teenager.
"But now his son finds himself in exactly the same position, growing up without his father figure. Not having a dad to share his achievements with, telling him about the job that he helped him find.
"And me, I’ve lost my soul mate, no longer having the security of that arm around my shoulder telling me that life is going to be ok.
"No longer do I have the urge to ride my bike, there’s not much point without my co-pilot.
"His mum, who is totally heartbroken, at 97 wakes up every day unable to comprehend that she will no longer see Dave.
"His mum moved to Norfolk a number of years ago to be closer to Dave and so that in her Autumn years of life he could be there for her. But now she is here without her son.
"No mum should ever have to say goodbye to their child whatever their age.
"And yet every minute of every day there is still someone out there behind the wheel of their vehicle, using their mobile phone.
"We need a "David's Law" - You offend and you are punished.
"We will never forgive Amber Potter for her selfish actions that night and for her conduct following the accident and are disappointed with yesterday's sentence.
"Maybe now she will realise that life doesn’t revolve around social media, you don’t need to send that message, or take pictures.
"When you get behind that wheel of your car you are responsible for your actions and if not, you have to accept the consequences."
Potter was driving at around 70mph and Sinar was travelling at about 40mph, but she failed to slow down or overtake him because she was distracted by her phone.
She then drove into the back of the scooter, which Mr Sinar, from North Walsham, had bought only earlier that day.
He died from his injuries at the scene following the crash on the dual carriageway at Roudham at about 9.30pm on September 15, 2021.
No defects were found to either vehicle and neither had been travelling at excessive speed.
Forensic analysis of Potter’s mobile phone showed multiple interactions during her journey. These included taking selfies, chatting on Facebook Messenger, and sending texts and audio clips.
Because the device was set to “do not disturb” it was said the user “went out of their way” to use it.
The last known interaction with her phone began less than 85 seconds prior to her calling 999 in the aftermath of the collision.
The forensic expert concluded that the collision occurred solely as a consequence of the driver of the Vauxhall failing to identify a hazard, in this case the Lambretta, in a timely manner.
In interview she said the scooter had “come out of nowhere” and given her no time to react.
Potter said she was playing music from her Spotify account which was programmed to change automatically and that she had Google maps running.
She denied touching her phone at the time of the collision but was unable to explain how she failed to see the scooter before it was too late.
Staff supervisor Andrew Hughes of the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “This tragic case highlights the devastating effects drivers who interact with their mobile devices whilst driving have on others.
“It is a selfish and needless act which has severe consequences for so many people."
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