June 16th 2024.
Maria Perez-Gonzalez, a dedicated healthcare assistant with aspirations of becoming a nurse, tragically lost her life when she was hit by a car driven by Harry Lock. Maria was crossing the road on her bike when Lock, who was driving a BMW with his knees and inhaling laughing gas, ran a red light and collided with her. Despite efforts to save her, Maria passed away in the hospital two days later.
Lock, who was 24 years old at the time, had spent the day with a female friend and was on his way back to Plymouth when he stopped to retrieve canisters of nitrous oxide from the trunk of his car. Known as "hippy crack", this drug can cause euphoria, laughter, hallucinations, and impaired judgement. Despite the warnings from his passenger, Lock continued to inhale the gas and steer the car with his knees. He ignored the red light and hit Maria, causing her death.
Maria was a remarkable woman, originally from Mexico, who had big plans for her future. She was about to start her nursing training and was looking forward to reuniting with her oldest son after 20 years. However, her life was cut short due to Lock's reckless and dangerous actions. And it didn't stop there - in an attempt to hide evidence, Lock asked his passenger to conceal the canisters and lie to the police about the traffic light being green. He even repeated this lie during his police interview, but the investigators were able to prove otherwise through CCTV footage.
Despite the footage being partially obscured by foliage, Detective Constable John Greathead was able to spot subtle pixel changes that revealed the true sequence of events. It was determined that Maria had been crossing the road on a green light, while the light that Lock drove through had been red for almost seven seconds. And to make matters worse, Lock was driving within the speed limit and should have been able to see the light from 130 meters away. He had plenty of opportunities to stop his reckless behavior, but chose to continue inhaling nitrous oxide and endangering the lives of others.
Finally, after months of denying his guilt, Lock admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. He appeared before the Exeter Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. He will also be banned from driving for two years after his release. Judge David Evans did not mince words when addressing Lock, stating that he chose to inhale nitrous oxide and put others' lives at risk. He also highlighted the fact that Lock's judgement and reactions were impaired by the drug, making his actions even more dangerous and irresponsible.
Lock's defense claimed that he had only consumed a few canisters and that his driving was otherwise normal and legal. However, this does not change the fact that Maria's life was taken because of his reckless behavior. She was a mother of three and a beloved healthcare assistant at the RD&E, with plans to further her career by pursuing a nursing degree. Her family and friends described her as a remarkable and positive person who always helped those around her. Her death has left a void in their lives that can never be filled.
Sergeant Troy Bennett of Devon & Cornwall Police emphasized the severity of Lock's actions and the tragic consequences they had. He urged everyone to never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to always drive carefully. This message was echoed by Maria's family, who supported the release of CCTV footage in the hopes of raising awareness about the dangers of dangerous driving.
Maria's three sons expressed their grief and disbelief over the loss of their mother, who they described as an incredible person who had achieved so much in life and had so much more to accomplish. They shared that she had a positive outlook on life, even in the face of adversity, and was an inspiration to all who knew her. They also revealed that she was about to start her nursing course and was working as a healthcare assistant at the RD&E before her life was taken.
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, extended her sympathies to Maria's family and friends and welcomed Lock's sentence. She also stressed the importance of never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as it can have catastrophic consequences. She reminded everyone that Lock's selfish actions not only resulted in his own imprisonment, but also in a family losing their mother. The tragedy of Maria's death serves as a warning to anyone who thinks it's acceptable to drive while impaired - it is not only illegal, but it can also cost someone their life.
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