Biker died after pulling wheelie in busy road (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Battersea man died after pulling wheelie on speeding motorbike

10:00am Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Alexandra Rucki

A 25-year-old died after pulling a wheelie on his speeding motorbike in rush hour traffic, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jamie Jackson Hughes, of Haydon Way, Battersea, collided with a BMW driver who was turning right into Tonsley Hill, Wandsworth, from East Hill on October 10 last year.

The crash happened shortly after Mr Jackson Hughes pulled a wheelie in the road on the 1,000cc bike during rush hour at 6.12pm, while driving well above the speed limit.

His bike was left ripped in half, with the front wheel spinning down the road, as he was thrown 90ft into the air.

The father-of-two was unconscious within minutes of the impact and was taken to St George’s Hospital where he died just before 8pm.

Westminster Coroner’s Court heard the scaffolder had traces of cannabis in his bloodstream.

Asked by the coroner what influence the cannabis would have on his driving, police collision investigator, PC Peter Traylor said he was not certain.

Mr Jackson Hughes did not have the correct license and had no insurance.

Miss Zoe James, 29, who was driving the black BMW hit by Mr Hughes, said she saw the biker from the corner of her eye as she was turning into the road but was unable to pull out of the manoeuvre in time.

A Citroen driver had already flashed its lights signalling it was safe for her to turn.

Fighting back tears, Miss James said: "I was virtually in the junction.  There was an almighty crash, I got out and looked around and saw the debris and the deceased."

Martin Graham, 31, was driving his VW Golf behind Miss James and his car was also damaged.

He said: "Once it happened there was a noise and fluid from the bike came over the bonnet and the window of my car, and some of the debris from the bike."

Tom Drew, 27, and Todd Carter, 28, were walking across East Hill at the time and said Mr Jackson Hughes was driving well above the 30mph speed limit.

Mr Carter said: "He went up on his bike whilst I was watching. He was on his back wheel and I saw him come down just at the top of the hill, just before the collision."

Police reconstructed the accident and said it could have been prevented if Mr Jackson Hughes kept within the speed limit.

PC Traylor said: "A wheelie can be pulled deliberately or it can be accidental, in this scenario there was no reason to be putting on the clutch, it has got to be deliberate."

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox recorded the death was a result of an accident, noting it could have easily been avoided.

She said: "The force of the impact must have been truly substantial. He sustained very, very substantial injuries.

"If he had been driving at the speed limit and not pulling a wheelie this is a collision that could have been avoided, he would have been able to brake.

"He died as a result of an accident, unfortunately it was an accident that could have been avoided and this is something Mr Jackson Hughes’ family will have to live with."

Mr Jackson Hughes leaves behind his girlfriend Sam Cox, and two young children, one aged seven and one a year old.

Shortly after his death, family and friends left a huge tribute to him at the crash site made up of flowers, cards and bottles of his favourite drink, Jack Daniels .

Hundreds turned out to his funeral in St Anne’s Church, St Anne’s Hill, Wandsworth , and friends posted tributes to him on wandsworthguardian.co.uk