A driver accused of deliberately mowing down a cyclist could be facing a murder charge after his alleged victim died.
David Morgan, 40, was arrested on Friday after his Mercedes C180 reportedly collided with the bike ridden by Richard Smith, who is in his 50s.
Mr Smith, a sales manager at a fire safety firm, suffered serious head injuries in the incident which is said to have happened during the evening rush hour at around 5pm in Norwich.
Norfolk Police said they were called to reports that a ‘white Mercedes had deliberately hit a cyclist’.
Morgan made his first appearance at Norwich Magistrates‘ Court on Monday, where he heard there was a bleak prognosis for Mr Smith.
The prosecution said there was only a ‘very remote’ chance that he would survive and that Morgan could face a more serious charge as a result.
Mr Smith has now died, a Norfolk Police spokeswoman confirmed today, adding: ‘We are currently consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service about the charges.’
Morgan, who is understood to be a forklift truck driver, is said to have failed to stop at the scene of the accident and was arrested shortly before 7pm just over half a mile away following police enquiries.
Richard Smith, a sales manager at a fire safety firm who is in his 50s, suffered serious head injuries in the incident which is said to have happened during the evening rush hour at around 5pm on Friday in Norwich, Norfolk
He was arrested on suspicion of murder, dangerous driving, drink-driving and drug driving and taken to the Police Investigation Centre at Wymondham, near Norwich.
Officers subsequently charged him with attempted murder and drink-driving on Sunday and held overnight before his court appearance.
Police stated he lived in Bedford when he was charged but he gave an address in Norwich when he appeared in court.
Prosecutor Josephine Jones told the hearing that the attempted murder case was so serious that it could only be heard in a crown court.
She added: ‘There is another offence of driving with excess alcohol. The Crown say that is related. There is no bail application.
‘The Crown say this was a deliberate targeting of a cyclist. He has received significant head injuries and the latest information I have is that the charge is likely to be increased to something more serious.
‘The chances of him surviving are very remote indeed… it is only a matter of time.’
District Judge Jacqui Appleton remanded Morgan in custody to appear at Norwich Crown Court on June 8.
David Morgan, 40, was arrested on Friday after his Mercedes C180 reportedly collided with the bike ridden by Mr Smith
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She told him: ‘The charge you face of attempted murder is so serious that it can only be dealt with in the crown court. Therefore, I must transfer your case to the crown court.
‘The second charge you face of drink-driving is directly related to the first charge and therefore that, too, must be sent to the crown court.’
District Judge Appleton told him that he would remain custody until the next hearing.
She added that he faced ‘a real prospect of immediate custody’ if convicted and urged him to stay in contact with his solicitor.
Morgan spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth as he stood in the glass-fronted dock during the brief hearing.
But immediately before being led down to the cells, he shouted a greeting to his grey-haired father who was weeping in the public gallery.
Mr Smith’s family paid tribute to him today in a statement released by Norfolk Police.
They said: ‘A much-loved partner, dad, brother, son, friend and colleague has sadly died after an incident on Friday, May 8.
A Mercedes C180 similar to the one Morgan was driving when he is said to have ‘deliberately’ hit cyclist Mr Smith on Friday
Mr Smith, pictured in a photo released by his family, who said in a tribute they were ‘struggling to make sense of such a tragic loss’
‘We are all struggling to make sense of such a tragic loss to all of our lives.
‘Rich was a keen NCFC supporter, a blood and organ donor and a proud dad to his three children.
‘We will remember him with love and kindness and for some truly terrible dance moves.’
The scene of the collision was closed while emergency services responded and police began their investigation
The Mercedes which was alleged to have been involved was also recovered and seized by officers.
Mr Smith was UK sales manager for Delta Fire, based in Norwich, a manufacturer and supplier of firefighting equipment.
In a statement on its website, it said: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that our much-loved colleague, Richard Smith, passed away yesterday following a road traffic incident.
‘Richard was a valued member of our team and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of working with him.
The collision allegedly happened in Chartwell Road, Norwich
‘Our thoughts are with Richard’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
‘We are supporting our staff as they come to terms with this loss. Thank you for your continued support and kindness.’
Police are appealing for help from anyone with dashcam footage or ‘information on the manner of driving of the white Mercedes before the collision’.
