Unlicensed driver who killed motorcyclist, 21, when he made a U-turn to go toilet is jailed

An unlicensed driver who killed a 21-year-old motorcyclist when he made a U-turn to go to the toilet has been jailed.

Garry Arnold, 58, had been behind the wheel of his van when he made a right turn onto gravel on Ranmore Common Road in Dorking, Surrey.

The driver, who decided he needed to go toilet, crashed into motorcyclist Ben on that tragic day in November 2022. 

The 58-year-old did not have enough time to complete the manoeuvre, failed to finish the turn and to take the speed of the motorbike into account, a police investigation found.

Following the crash, when Arnold spoke to police, he gave officers the wrong name and date of birth. 

It was later found this was because he held a revoked license.

Twenty-one-year-old Ben had recently finished his building surveying degree at Kingston University and had his visa and flights booked to go to Australia to work for a year. He was due to leave in late December before the tragic event.

His parents, Stephen and Eleanor Holmes, paid tribute to their son as a ‘a warm and loving young man’.

He then crashed into Ben Holmes, pictured, who was riding a motorbike on Ranmore Common Road in Dorking, Surrey

They said in a statement: ‘Ben’s sudden death has left our family devastated and heartbroken. 

‘Ben made us proud every single day. He was truly an amazing person, full of life and a warm and loving young man.’

They added: ‘His death hit our family so hard and beyond all comprehension.

‘It’s indescribable. We never thought we would lose our son so young, leaving behind his brother.

‘After learning of Ben’s tragic death, his friends and work colleagues shared touching tributes to their much-loved and deeply missed friend.’ 

His parents added: ‘We would like to thank the determined approach that Surrey Police has taken in pursuing justice for Ben in what has been a complex investigation over the past two years.’

Ben was out on his motorbike just after 4pm on Friday, November 4, 2022 when the collision occurred on Ranmore Common Road in Dorking.

Arnold, of Banstead, was jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving, causing death by driving a vehicle whilst unlicensed and perverting the course of justice at an earlier hearing.

The crash happened as Ben was riding a motorbike on Ranmore Common Road in Dorking

Investigating Officer Amilia Bishop, from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Ben Holmes’ family and friends at this very difficult time – no family should ever have to endure the loss they have suffered.

‘Arnold not only performed a manoeuvre which he simply did not have the time to do, he then deliberately misled officers to cover up the fact that his driving licence had been revoked.

‘I would like to thank the members of the public who stopped at the scene to call emergency services and provide first aid. Officers and paramedics who attended tried desperately to save Ben’s life that day by performing CPR on Ben at the scene but sadly, their efforts were unsuccessful.

‘Arnold’s actions that day have robbed a family of their son – which they will have to live with for the rest of their lives.

‘I hope that the sentence imposed on him today demonstrates that we will pursue drivers who break the law – and that this can have fatal consequences.’