Philip Wise crash death: Aaron Borrow guilty of careless driving

Aaron Borrow had been stuck in a traffic jam on the A286 at Birdham in Sussex when he opened his Jaguar door.

The 30-year-old claimed he had checked the road but did not see rider Philip Wise, 56, filtering past.

Mr Wise was struck by the opening door and knocked into the path of oncoming traffic on the 40mph road.

He suffered “indescribable” injuries and later died at hospital.

After a short trial at Brighton Crown Court, Borrow was found guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Brighton Magistrates Court

His driving fell below the standards of a careful and competent driver.

Now Borrow faces sentence for the offence. Legal guidelines state the offence carries a maximum jail term of five years, but may attract a lesser sentence ranging from a community order to a spell in prison, depending on judge Christine Henson QC.

It was suggested that other motorists had seen Mr Wise filtering through stationary traffic in Main Road, Birdham on a hot July day in 2018.

Other motorbikes had also gone past, witnesses said.

Mr Wise had to be “extricated” from the wreckage of the crash and was rushed to Southampton General Hospital, where he later died.

The road was closed for several hours as police investigated.

Daniel Frier, prosecuting, said Borrow had been out driving to the beach with his partner Ashleigh Skipper but got stuck in heavy traffic.

The prosecutor said: “The defendant had been in traffic for some time. He decided, at a point when stationary, that he wanted to get his hay fever medication from the boot.

Aaron Borrow is on trial accused of causing the death of Philip Wise by careless driving on the A286 near Birdham, Chichester in July 2018

“He opened the car door and struck Philip Wise on his motorcycle. The consequence was to force Mr Wise into oncoming traffic where he was struck by a vehicle coming the other way.

“Tragically Mr Wise died of those injuries.

Mr Frier said they were on a straight section of road, and said Mr Wise had been travelling in a straight line at a speed estimated to be between 20mph and 30mph.

Visibility was good, and Borrow had his window wound down while at the wheel of his Jaguar, and “should have heard” the motorbike, Mr Frier said.

Aaron Borrow is on trial accused of causing the death of Philip Wise by careless driving on the A286 near Birdham, Chichester in July 2018

He said: “The door opened about a foot, suddenly. By the time the door began to open the motorcycle was already at the back of the car. It had no time to react.

“The door collided with the motorcyclist and caused him to move into the other side of the road.

“The motorist heading in the other direction tried to brake and steer away, but there was simply not enough time.”

Borrow, of Shelley Road, East Grinstead, had claimed to have carried out “sufficient checks”. He faces sentencing on February 17.