A van driver expressed surprise as he inquired of the police, “Have I hit him?” following a collision that resulted in the death of a cyclist.
Matthew Marston, aged 41, was sentenced to nine years in prison for the fatal accident that claimed the life of Aran Potkin, aged 40, on October 24, 2023. The incident occurred on the westbound carriageway of the A31 in Farnham, Surrey.
The cyclist, a resident of Farnham, tragically passed away at the scene. During the sentencing, his wife, Poppy Potkin, fondly described him as “incredibly smart, challenging, and absolutely gorgeous.”
According to a report by SurreyLive, a member of the public who witnessed the crash alerted the authorities. They reported seeing the van initially driving in the inside lane before swerving to the right. Subsequently, officers found Marston approximately 800 meters from the crash site, with visible damage to the front of his vehicle. Marston, who was seated on the roadside barrier, claimed he was unaware of being involved in a collision, believing instead that his engine had exploded.
In footage from police body cameras, Marston can be heard questioning, “What’s happened?” and “Have I hit him?” Further investigation revealed significant phone usage by Marston around the time of the incident. Despite being questioned about his phone activities, including using Maps and sending WhatsApp messages, Marston chose to offer “no comment” responses. He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Matthew Marston, a resident of North Baddesley, pleaded guilty to the offense on October 6 of the same year. He was sentenced to nine years in prison at Kingston Crown Court and also received a 13-year driving ban, with a mandatory extended retest.
At the time of the collision, Marston had accumulated 12 points on his license but had avoided a ban due to potential hardship concerns. Notably, six points had been issued previously for using a mobile phone while driving. Aran Potkin is survived by his wife Poppy, their two young children, as well as his parents and siblings.
Mrs. Potkin shared her heartfelt sentiments, expressing the deep sense of loss and longing for her late husband. She described Aran as a brilliant, caring, and fun-loving individual, highlighting his humility and selfless nature.
Charley Spriegel, the Investigating Officer from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, extended condolences to the Potkin family, acknowledging the devastating impact of the tragic incident. Spriegel emphasized the importance of road safety, cautioning against the dangers of using mobile phones while driving and urging drivers to consider the potentially dire consequences of their actions.
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