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Driver watching video jailed over rider death

A driver who struck and killed a bike rider at Kincumber in NSW while watching a video on YouTube has been jailed for two-and-a half years.

Damon James Turnbull-Fielding, 31, of Wyoming on the Central Coast, who has been in custody, pleaded guilty to driving in a dangerous manner occasioning death last November.

Turnbull-Fielding crashed into bike rider Steve Jelfs, 68, after veering across the road as he failed to take a bend.

The driver had a previous conviction for using his mobile phone while driving.

Before pleading guilty he claimed to be listening to a podcast.

Gosford District Court was told that Turnbull-Fielding was watching a YouTube instructional video on how to play a video game at the time of the crash on Empire Bay Drive in September 2021.

The court heard Mr Jelfs suffered "catastrophic and fatal head injuries" and died at the scene.

In sentencing, Judge Tanya Bright said that Turnbull-Fielding was distracted when he collided with Mr Jelfs.

"The facts clearly disclose very serious criminality and, by watching a video, it demonstrated a complete disregard for all other road users," she said.

"His driving was properly described as grossly irresponsible.

"It is an example of the catastrophic consequences of driving while using a mobile phone.”

A witness told the court "the car went over the fog line and collided with the cyclist. He didn't negotiate the bend at all. The offender was holding a mobile phone in his hand".

 

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