Driver who killed 'loving' moped rider sentenced

A driver who caused the death of an "exceptional, mature and loving" moped rider has been given a suspended sentence.

Isaac Hall was riding along Ascot Drive in Derby shortly before 18:00 BST in June 2024 when Emily Elverson pulled into his path.

The 19-year-old hit the side of the white Audi A1, leaving him with fatal injuries.

Elverson, 28, of Fellows Drive, Burton-upon-Trent, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for a year at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Derbyshire Police said the driver had just finished a shift as a contact management call handler on 13 June 2024 when the crash happened.

She was making a handsfree phone call to her boyfriend when she pulled out of Dunstall Park Road into the path of the moped.

Members of the public began to give Mr Hall CPR before an ambulance rushed him to the Royal Derby Hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Mr Hall's mother, Cheryl, said: "The night Isaac died is something that will haunt me forever.

"I relive the police car ride to the hospital, the sickening panic, the long wait in a small side room, and the moment the doctors came in and told us he had not survived.

"When I was taken to see Isaac's body something inside me broke permanently.

"Isaac was an exceptional young man.

"He was mature beyond his years, deeply respectful, calm, kind, and loving.

"Less than two weeks before he died, he arrived home with flowers for me.

"When I asked why, he said - because you're my mum.

"Those flowers were still on my bedside table the night he died."

Speaking of Elverson, Cheryl said: "I don't hate the woman whose actions led to his death.

"Since the night he died, I have actually felt sorry for her.

"A mistake, a terrible, terrible mistake which she will have to live with for the rest of her life.

"I actually think I would find it more difficult if were in her shoes, if I'd caused the death of a 19-year-old – I'd find it even more difficult than losing my own son.

"So, I want you to know that I forgive you, and I hope you are one day able to forgive yourself."

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