RAF Lakenheath servicewoman 'didn't see' bike before fatal crash

A US servicewoman caused the death of a motorcyclist by pulling from a junction and into his path after failing to see him, a court was told.

Airman first class Mikayla Hayes, 25, was heard by a witness saying "I didn't see him" after the crash that killed dad-of-one Matthew Day, jurors heard.

Ms Hayes was driving home from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to Downham Market in Norfolk on 26 August 2022.

She denies causing death by careless driving.

On the opening day of her trial at Norwich Crown Court, prosecutors said Mr Day, 33, was travelling south on the A10 on a red and white motorbike when it collided with the defendant's Honda Accord, dying of his injuries later that day.

Rachel Scott, prosecuting, said Ms Hayes pulled into the path of the motorbike after she emerged from the B1160 Lynn Road to turn right on to the A10 at Southery in Norfolk.

Ms Scott said a witness, an experienced motorcyclist, was waiting behind Ms Hayes at the junction when he saw the collision happen.

A second witness said the defendant "kept saying 'I didn't see him'", added Ms Scott.

The prosecutor said Ms Hayes claimed the colour of the motorbike "appeared to blend into the road and sky".

She was breathalysed and drugs tested and the results were both negative, jurors were told. There was no evidence she was using her phone, Ms Scott added.

Tests on Mr Day found a "low concentration of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)", indicating he took cannabis at some point before the collision.

"The evidence doesn't suggest he failed to react appropriately when Miss Hayes pulled out in front of him," Ms Scott said.

Both the defence and prosecution agreed the main cause of the collision was Ms Hayes pulling out from a side road into the path of a motorbike, said Ms Scott.

She said experts disagreed over how many seconds there were between her pulling out, and the collision, and how many seconds Mr Day had to react.

"The issue at the heart of this case is whether the defendant's driving fell below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver," said Ms Scott.

"The prosecution case is there's no good reason why Miss Hayes didn't see Mr Day's motorbike."

The trial continues.

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