Motorist on trial for road rage murder of cyclist in Norwich

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 07:17 · Archive

David Morgan, 40, is accused of deliberately swerving his car into cyclist Richard Smith on a Norwich ring road after a confrontation.

David Morgan, 40, is on trial at Norwich Crown Court charged with murdering Richard Smith, a 50-year-old father of three who was cycling home from work. The collision happened at about 5pm on 8 May on Chartwell Road, on the outer Norwich ring road. Prosecutors allege Morgan deliberately swerved his Mercedes into Mr Smith after the cyclist shouted at him moments earlier for attempting to overtake and undertake traffic on the busy road. The court heard that the pair were not known to each other before the crash.

Mr Smith was thrown over his handlebars and suffered extensive head injuries. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries on 11 May. The prosecutor told the court that whilst Morgan's car coming into contact with the bike is not in dispute, the issue for jurors is 'how exactly and why'.

Witness John Hanton, who was driving on Chartwell Road at the time, gave evidence describing what he saw. He said he first noticed the white Mercedes 'in the middle of the road' before it 'swerved left' as it reached the cyclist, 'making him go head over heels onto the road'. Mr Hanton said Morgan's car then 'just carried on driving' and 'sped up' onto Mile Cross Lane without stopping, with the entire incident lasting about 30 seconds.

Morgan denies murder. The court also heard that earlier that afternoon he had drunk at least four pints of lager at a pub in Rackheath before collecting his children from school.

How it is being reported

• Witnesses describe moment Mercedes 'swerved' into cyclist before fatal crashA number of witnesses have described the moment a motorist accused of murdering a cyclist in Norwich appeared to deliberately swerve into the biker in broad daylight.Eastern Daily Press · 4 Nov, 06:00
• Witnesses describe moment Mercedes 'swerved' into cyclist before fatal crashA number of witnesses have described the moment a motorist accused of murdering a cyclist in Norwich appeared to deliberately swerve into the biker in broad daylight.Norwich Evening News · 4 Nov, 06:00
• Motorist accused of road rage murder of cyclist on Norwich ring roadA motorist has gone on trial accused of murdering a cyclist by deliberately knocking him off his bike after he punched his wing mirror.Eastern Daily Press · 2 Nov, 14:49
• Motorist accused of road rage murder of cyclist on Norwich ring roadA motorist has gone on trial accused of murdering a cyclist by deliberately knocking him off his bike after he punched his wing mirror.Norwich Evening News · 2 Nov, 14:49

In this story: David Morgan · Richard Smith · John Hanton · Norwich Crown Court · Norwich · Chartwell Road

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log