Taxi Driver Online

This is the official police news release.

I suppose it's fair to assume that the 'taxi' driver is the older individual arrested for dangerous driving, and not the younger one with the alcohol, drugs and disqualification stuff on top

Unusual for both to be arrested for dangerous driving, though, but it's obviously at an early stage of investigation, and it will be interesting to see the eventual charges


Appeal: Two arrested following fatal collision in Morecambe

Sunday, August 10, 2025

https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/ ... morecambe/

We are appealing for witnesses and footage following a fatal collision in Morecambe.

Our officers were called to Westgate at 5.47am today (10th August) following reports of a collision involving a black Fiat Punto and a white Ford Mondeo taxi.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the rear seat passenger in the taxi – a man in his 50s – was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital.

The drivers of both vehicles have been arrested. A 22-year-old man from Morecambe has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and driving with excess drugs, and causing death whilst disqualified, while a 31-year-old man from Morecambe has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Sgt Martin Wilcock, a Senior Investigating Officer in our Road Policing Unit, said: “As a result of this collision a man has lost his life and my thoughts are very much with his loved. They are being supported by specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time.

“Our job now is to establish the exact circumstances which led to this fatal collision. We would ask people to allow us to do that and to not engage in unhelpful speculation, particularly on social media.

“Although we have made two arrests, I want to be clear that our investigation is very much ongoing.

“With that in mind I would ask any witnesses or anyone with dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage that could assist us in our investigation to make contact as soon as possible.”

If you can assist us, please contact 101 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk quoting log 0270 of 10th August.

hmm..

Early morning both drivers assuming the roads are clear and maybe having been up all night. lets see if the facts come to light but with the prospect of a prison sentance will the truth come out ?

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I'm not surprised they were both arrested.

It's not uncommon when there has been a fatality.

_________________
IDFIMH

No huge surprise here (and a couple of additional charges presumably unrelated to the incident) but the taxi driver still not off the hook yet


Man charged following fatal collision in Morecambe

https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/ ... morecambe/

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

We have charged a man following a fatal collision in Morecambe on Sunday (10th August).

Jez Shepherd, 22, of Green Street, Morecambe, charged with the following offences and will appear at Lancaster Magistrates Court this morning.

• Causing death by dangerous driving,
• Causing death by driving whilst disqualified,
• Causing death by driving whilst uninsured,
• Taking without consent (driver) causing death,
• Burglary dwelling theft,
• Making off without payment,
• Driving whilst disqualified,
• Driving with no insurance.

Our officers were called to Westgate at 5.47am on Sunday 10th August following reports of a collision involving a black Fiat Punto and a white Ford Mondeo taxi.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the rear seat passenger in the taxi – a man in his 50s – was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital.

The driver of the taxi - a 31-year-old man from Morecambe – who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Sgt Martin Wilcock, a Senior Investigating Officer in our Road Policing Unit, said: “As a result of this collision a man has lost his life and my thoughts very much remain with his loved ones. They continue to be supported by specially trained officers at this extremely difficult time.

“While a man has now been charged, I want to make it clear that our enquiries are very much ongoing.

“With that in mind I would ask any witnesses or anyone with dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage that could assist us in our investigation to make contact as soon as possible.”

If you can assist us, please contact 101 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk quoting log 270 of 10th August 2025.

No surprises here, but why isn't he also charged with simple taking without consent, as opposed to just taking without consent causing death?

Presumably the reason for the overlap with the no insurance and disqualified charges is that if he gets off on the 'causing death' element then he can still be guilty of the lesser charges.

So why the inconsistency as regards taking without consent?

And no word about the taxi driver here


Latest update after Morecambe man appears in court following fatal taxi collision

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/new ... on-5271904

A motorist who appeared in court charged with numerous offences after a man in his 50s died in a collision between a car and a taxi, has been remanded in custody.

Jez Shepherd, 22, of Green Street, Morecambe, appeared at Lancaster Magistrates’ Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst disqualified, causing death by driving whilst uninsured, taking without consent (driver) causing death, burglary dwelling theft, making off without payment, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance.

Officers were called to Westgate at 5.47am on Sunday August 10 following reports of a collision involving a black Fiat Punto and a white Ford Mondeo taxi.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the rear seat passenger in the taxi – a man in his 50s – was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital.

Jez Shepherd is due to appear at Preston Crown Court on September 9 from custody.

Because he doesn't need to be charged with the other matter.

The issue will be 'did he take the car without consent'. There is, sadly, no dispute that a death has occurred.

So if he is found to have taken the car without consent, it follows that he will be guilty of the death part as well.

Whereas if he is found innocent of the taking part, then the sad death isn't relevant.

_________________
IDFIMH

maybe there is evidence that both drivers were in part responsible for the death.

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

No, it's just standard practice. Drivers in serious or fatal accidents are arrested. Later, if they not charged, they are de-arrested.

_________________
Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Morecambe man admits causing death of taxi passenger by dangerous driving

https://www.beyond.radio/news/local-new ... s-driving/

A Morecambe man has admitted causing the death of a taxi passenger by dangerous driving.

Police were called to Westgate at 5.47am on Sunday August 10 following reports of a collision involving a black Fiat Punto and a white Ford Mondeo taxi.

Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the rear seat passenger in the taxi – 50-year-old father-of-three Wayne Putley from Lancaster - was pronounced deceased at hospital.

Jez Shepherd, 22, of Green Street, Morecambe, has admitted causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified from driving, causing death whilst unlicensed/uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, making off without payment and burglary.

He appeared in court on Tuesday (September 9).

Shepherd has been remanded into custody and will appear at Preston Crown Court for sentencing on October 24.

_________________
IDFIMH

Speeding driver jailed for death of taxi passenger

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1e3gy4g134o



A man who was high on drugs when he stole a car and caused the death of a passenger in a taxi after speeding at 90mph (145kph) in a 30mph (48 kph) zone has been jailed.

Wayne Putley, 50, was a rear seat passenger in the cab that collided with the stolen Fiat Punto on Westgate, Morecambe, in the early hours of 10 August. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

Jez Shepherd, of Green Street, Morecambe, was jailed for 12 years and disqualified from driving for 16 years.

The 23-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst disqualified from driving, causing death whilst unlicensed/uninsured, aggravated vehicle taking and other offences.

Preston Crown Court heard Shepherd had stolen the car earlier that day and driven around Morecambe at speed

Lancashire Police said he made off without paying for fuel from a garage and was more than twice the drink drive limit, after also taking drugs.

Mr Putley, who was an award-winning dry-stone wall builder, suffered serious injuries in the crash.

The father-of-three had a passion for the outdoors and a love for animals, especially dogs, police said.

'Completely avoidable'

His family said he was known for his kind heart and would never turn anybody away who was in need of help, he worked locally at the homeless shelter and helped out at the church.

They said "the tragedy was completely avoidable", describing the car as "a deadly weapon" in Shepherd's hands.

Senior investigating officer Sgt Martin Wilcock said: "Jez Shepherd was clearly intoxicated and drove a stolen car at incredibly dangerous speeds before colliding with the taxi in which Mr Putley was a passenger with tragic and catastrophic consequences.

"No sentence can ever bring a loved one back or make up for the loss of a life, but I hope that this significant jail term gives Mr Putley's loved ones some sense that justice has been served and gives Mr Shepherd time to reflect on his devastating actions on that fateful day."

_________________
IDFIMH