Ipswich – Man charged with causing death by dangerous driving

Benjamin Wright

A man from Shotley has appeared at court and been charged in connection with a fatal collision in Ipswich last year. 

The incident occurred shortly before 10pm on Thursday 13 October 2022 in Vernon Street and involved a bicycle and three cars - a blue Audi S3, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a Red Skoda Fabia.

Ambulance crews were also in attendance, but the cyclist – a 35-year-old man – sadly died at the scene. Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, he has been identified as Benjamin Wright from the Ipswich area.

The driver of the Audi decamped and fled the scene. Later that evening, a man was arrested in the Shotley area in connection with the incident and taken into police custody for questioning, before being released under investigation. 

James Ashman, aged 28, of Lower Harlings, Shotley Gate, appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court today, Wednesday 11 October, where he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He has also been charged with failing to stop after a road accident; and failing to report a road accident.

Ashman was granted bail pending a next hearing at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 November. 

A second man (aged 25 at the time) who was arrested on 14 October 2022 in connection the incident - on suspicion of assisting an offender – and was subsequently released under investigation, will face no further police action at this time.

 

Family Tribute | 1 March 2023

A man who died following a collision in Ipswich last year is being named by police, as his family issue a tribute to him. 

Police were called shortly before 10pm on Thursday 13 October 2022, following reports of a collision on Vernon Street involving a bicycle and three cars - a blue Audi S3, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a Red Skoda Fabia.

Ambulance crews, including the air ambulance, were also in attendance but the cyclist – a 35-year-old man – sadly died at the scene.

The driver of the Audi decamped and fled the scene. Later that evening, a 27-year-old man was arrested in the Shotley area on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

A 25-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and obstructing a police officer.

Both men have released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the deceased has been identified as Benjamin Wright from the Ipswich area.

Mr Wright’s family have asked us to issue the following tribute on their behalf:

“Benjamin Jay Wright was killed 17 days before his 36^th birthday. He was the beloved son of Gina Hockley and Mark Wright. He left behind his twin children, 13-year-old daughter and son - so sad. He left behind his older sister, Jade Hockley, younger brother, Barney Hockley, and his favourite sister Natasha Wright.

“I haven't just lost my brother, I've also lost twin, my best friend and my soul mate all in one 😢 💔. It's absolutely broken me. We were so close, always have been since young children. Ben and Natasha against da world...

“It's so heart breaking, it really is. Ben adored his children. He had a heart of gold which would touch anyone's soul. Ben had been through so much in his short-lived life, yet he was still a happy go lucky kinda lad. He had a lot of time and love for the people closest to him.

“Ben had the most infectious laugh and he had the cheekiest side grin/smile which always put a smile on my face. Ben would brighten up any room when he walked in and he had a warm and caring presence. He loved his family with all his heart, especially his twins who he has left behind.

“I know Ben will be watching over his family and protecting them in the afterlife, just as he did when he was here. God Bless 🙌 your soul Ben and until we meet again sleep tight my darling angel xx 

Love always, your sis Natasha xx"

 

Previous release | 18 October 2022

Two people arrested by police investigating a fatal road traffic collision in Ipswich last week have been released on bail, as enquiries into the incident continue.

The collision occurred shortly before 10pm on Thursday 13 October in Vernon Street and involved a bicycle and three cars - a blue Audi S3, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a Red Skoda Fabia.

Ambulance crews, including the air ambulance, were also in attendance at the collision but the cyclist – a 35-year-old man – sadly died at the scene.

The driver of the Audi decamped from the vehicle and fled the scene. Following initial enquiries officers attended an address in the Shotley area and at approximately 11.25pm on Thursday night, a 27-year-old man from the Shotley area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

He was initially transported to Ipswich Hospital as a precaution, before being taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. He has subsequently been released on bail until Wednesday 2 November, pending further enquiries.

A second man - aged 25 and from the Shotley area - was also arrested on Thursday night, on suspicion of assisting an offender and obstructing a police officer. He was also taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and has been released on bail until Wednesday 2 November, pending further enquiries.

Vernon Street was closed between Stoke Bridge and Wherstead Road for a collision investigation to take place, reopening at approximately 11am the following morning.

Officers would like to hear from any witnesses to the collision and are also asking anyone else who was driving in the area just prior to the incident, who has a dashcam fitted in their vehicle, to review the footage for anything that may be of assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference: 37/65741/22.

Website – www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Email – [email protected]

Phone – Call 101

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999

If you have been involved in or affected by a road traffic collision, advice and support information can be found at: www.suffolk.police.uk/rtc

 

Previous release | 14 October 2022

​A male cyclist has died following a road traffic collision in Ipswich.

Police were called shortly before 10pm last night, Thursday 13 October, following reports of a collision on Vernon Street involving three cars – a blue Audi, a Red Skoda and a grey Volkswagen - and a bicycle.

Ambulance crews were also in attendance, including the air ambulance, but the cyclist – a man aged in his 30s – sadly died at the scene.

The male driver of the Audi decamped from his vehicle and fled the scene. Following enquiries, officers attended an address in the Shotley area and, at approximately 11:25pm, a man aged in his 20s was detained. He was initially taken to Ipswich Hospital as a precaution and has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. He has been taken into custody at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

A second man, aged in his 20s, was also arrested at the address in the Shotley area on suspicion of assisting an offender and obstructing a police officer. He was also taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning where he remains.

Vernon street remains closed between Stoke Bridge and Wherstead Road whilst an investigation takes place.

Officers would like to hear from any witnesses to the collision and are also asking anyone else who was driving in the area just prior to the incident, who has a dashcam fitted in their vehicle, to review the footage for anything that may be of assistance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting reference: 37/65741/22

Email – [email protected]

Phone – Call 101

Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999

If you have been involved in or affected by a road traffic collision, advice and support information can be found at: www.suffolk.police.uk/rtc