Wigan woman jailed for six years after fatal dangerous driving incident on an icy morning

Today, Wednesday 24 June, a woman has been jailed after she pled guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Megan Murphy (01/01/2000), of Lord Street, Ince, Wigan, has been sentenced to six years Imprisonment at Bolton Crown Court today.

On Thursday 9 January 2025, Megan Murphy got into her car at 5:47am on an icy winter morning and reversed from an alleyway onto Pembroke Road, Wigan, positioning her vehicle facing against the direction of the one-way street.

CCTV footage shows that Murphy’s windscreen and windows were visibly frozen, significantly obstructing her view of the road. As Murphy began to drive forward, she was unable to see Darryl Tomlinson lying in the road, who has collapsed hours earlier.

Two witnesses observed her driving towards Darryl. One witness ran towards Murphy’s vehicle, shouting “stop” and “go back,” while another sounded their car horn in an attempt to alert her.

Murphy brought her vehicle to a stop just inches from Darryl; however, due to the poor visibility caused by the frozen windows, she was unable to see what the witnesses were indicating.

She then drove forward, passing over Darryl, and moments later reversed back over him.  She then proceeded forward causing the front wheel of her vehicle to travel over Darryl again. Darryl became trapped beneath the driver’s side of the car.

A witness contacted the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), who alerted police to attend the scene.

Meanwhile Murphy also called a friend in this time to ask for help she said "I've ran him over but it's a smackhead"

Murphy also attempted to defrost her car windows while Darryl remained trapped underneath, but this was unsuccessful.

Upon arrival, police officers used a witness’s car jack to free Darryl from beneath the vehicle and began administering CPR.

NWAS arrived shortly after; however, Darryl was sadly pronounced dead at approximately 6:21am at age 31.

When questioned by officers about the direction of her vehicle, Murphy could not explain why her vehicle was facing the wrong direction. CCTV evidence showed that, in the two days prior to the collision, Murphy had also driven the wrong way down the same street.

Officers also noted that her windscreen was visibly frozen at the time of the incident.

The court heard Darryl's family bravely share their victim impact statement.

Darryl's mum said: "Darryl was my first born, I gave birth to him at 26 weeks weighing only 2lb 4oz, he was so small. I didn’t think he would make it but being the little fighter that he was, he did and overcame all obstacles and became a loving and caring young man.

"Darryl would do anything for anyone and from being able to walk he loved football.

"I struggle to put into words how I feel about losing my son, and all I can say is that I really don’t feel anything anymore since losing Darryl. Whether I go to work or just go out, I try to laugh and joke and put on a brave face but in fact I am just empty inside like something is missing, and that’s Darryl.”

Darryl's dad said: “The day Darryl was taken from us on 9^th Jan 2025, my life changed forever.

“I felt as though I had died inside but as still breathing. My heart had been totally ripped out. You cannot explain the loss of a child unless you have suffered it. It’s a pain and emptiness like nothing you will ever experience.

"I talk to Darryl every single day shedding tears every time. It hasn’t gotten any easier, I’m just learning to live without him as no one ever prepares to lose a child.

Darryl's brother said: “Where do I start… Never did I think I would have to write a Victim Impact Statement about my brother. Darryl was not just my brother, he was my best friend, my idol, my biggest supporter, and since the day my brother got taken away from me, I feel like he took a piece of me with him.

“I can’t and never will understand why this person responsible for my brother’s death did not defrost her window and drove the wrong way down a one-way street with no vision.

"To then learn that she made a phone call to a friend claiming, "I've ran him over but it's a smackhead" and not even phoned for an ambulance has hurt me more."

Detective Constable Carl Boydell from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This was a truly tragic and entirely avoidable incident that has resulted in the devastating loss of a life.

"Our thoughts remain firmly with Darryl’s family and loved ones as they continue to come to terms with what has happened.

"This outcome reflects just how seriously the courts treat dangerous driving. Motorists have a responsibility to always follow the rules of the road and to ensure their vehicle is safe before setting off.

"Even in cold weather, taking the time to properly clear windows and ensure full visibility is essential. If you cannot see clearly, you cannot drive safely.”