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Driver scrolling social media killed cyclist police officer

BBC Simon DraperBBC
Simon Draper was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving

A van driver found guilty of killing an off-duty police officer cyclist was scrolling on social media just before.

Simon Draper, 42, of St Clears, Carmarthenshire, killed Sgt Lynwen Thomas, 37, by dangerous driving.

Analysis showed FaceTime, WhatsApp, Apple Music, Instagram and Facebook Messenger were all used shortly before she was hit, a Swansea court was told.

She died at the scene in February 2021 after being hit by Draper's Ford Transit on the A40 in Carmarthenshire.

Draper's actions were described as "arrogant and selfish" by the victim's colleagues.

His victim's family were in tears as the jury delivered its verdict.

In a statement, they said it had been a "long and painful 20 months" but they had "finally seen justice been served on the person responsible for taking her away from them".

Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police Sgt Lynwen ThomasHeddlu Dyfed Powys Police
Sgt Lynwen Thomas was 10 minutes from home when she was hit by Draper's van

Draper has been released on bail and will be sentenced at a later date, to be confirmed.

At Swansea's Nightingale court, he admitted causing death by careless driving, but denied the more serious charge.

He was driving towards Carmarthen after dropping off his two daughters at their home and then continuing his journey with his 13-month-old son in the back seat.

Forensic analysis of Draper's phone showed FaceTime, WhatsApp, Apple Music, Instagram and Facebook Messenger were all used in the moments before Ms Thomas was hit.

Timeline: Forensic analysis of Simon Draper's phone, evening of 25 February, 2021:

  • 6:39.24: Facebook messenger launched
  • 6:39.25: Facebook comment notification
  • 6:39.34: Facebook Messenger app usage ends
  • 6:39.38: Facebook launched
  • 6:40.01: Apple music starts playing
  • 6:41.56: Facebook app usage ends
  • 6:41.58: Instagram app is launched
  • 6:42.55: Instagram app usage ends and Facebook is launched again through app switcher
  • 6:43.14: Point of impact taken from Sgt Thomas's Garmin device which shows a sudden acceleration in speed
  • 6:43.24: Device is unplugged

Draper claimed he had given his phone to his baby son because the lights soothed him.

He said the baby continued to be "cantankerous" and he turned "for a split second" to pass him a dummy, and it was then the crash happened.

A40
Dyfed-Powys Police said Sgt Thomas was declared dead at the scene

However, the court heard from expert witnesses who said: "A 13-month-old child does not have the manual dexterity or mental ability to operate the phone in the way it was being used in this case".

PC Carlo Vaquerizo, a forensic collision investigator with Dyfed-Powys Police who attended the scene, also provided evidence that Draper would have had "9.28 seconds in order to identify the pedal cyclist".

'Senseless and unnecessary devastation'

Following the verdict, lead investigator Sgt Sara John said: "Yet again, we see the utter senseless and unnecessary devastation caused by using a mobile phone whilst driving.

"Lynwen was less than 10 minutes away from home when Draper, who was persistently using his iPhone at the wheel, collided with her whilst she was cycling along the A40."

She continued: "Lynwen was a respected colleague and a loving mother, daughter, sister and partner who was taken far too soon due to the arrogant and selfish actions of the defendant which have left a young child without their mother.

"Lynwen's family have welcomed today's verdict but now wish to have their privacy respected."