A shocking incident unfolded in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, on May 16 last year, when 19-year-old Billy Stokoe fatally struck 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson on a zebra crossing while riding an electric bike illegally on public roads. Ms. Stephenson, a devoted mother of four and grandmother of 13, died instantly from the force of the impact. Stokoe, who was under the influence of cannabis and distracted by reading messages on his mobile phone, lost control of his £4,000 Sur-Ron Light Bee X bike, rendering him unable to brake. Disturbingly, roadside cameras captured the immediate aftermath, showing him removing his balaclava, approaching the injured woman, and then fleeing the scene on his high-powered bike.
Stokoe later turned himself in, escorted by his mother, and chillingly asked the officers, “Is she dead?” At Newcastle Crown Court, he was sentenced to six years and nine months after admitting to causing death by dangerous driving, driving while unlicensed, and driving an uninsured vehicle. He is expected to serve up to half of this sentence before becoming eligible for release and will face a five-year driving ban thereafter. The court proceedings revealed a broader picture of negligence, recklessness, and a lack of remorse that compounded the tragedy for Ms. Stephenson’s family.
Gloria Stephenson had been an active, vibrant individual with a strong presence in her community. She had enjoyed a successful career in the NHS and maintained a physically active lifestyle, including daily walks to reach her 10,000 steps. On the day of the collision, she was walking her daughter’s dog in preparation for an upcoming holiday to Lanzarote, highlighting how tragically sudden and unprovoked the incident was. Her four daughters described her as “beautiful, intelligent, fiercely independent” and lamented the devastating void left by her passing.
The family did not hold back in their condemnation of Stokoe’s actions and attitude. Lisa Trench, one of Ms. Stephenson’s daughters, stated that her mother “didn’t stand a chance” against the illegal, high-speed bike ridden by a drugged and distracted driver. Another daughter, Julie Francis, expressed the family’s outrage at the lack of accountability, saying, “He ran off and left her like she was nothing… He is just a coward, thinking only of himself.” The daughters’ statements underscored the lasting emotional and psychological trauma inflicted by Stokoe’s reckless behavior.
What made the situation even more distressing was Stokoe’s apparent indifference following the fatal collision. Eight days after the incident, he attended a Sunderland football match at Wembley and sought permission to travel abroad for a holiday, revealing an alarming absence of remorse. Julie Francis emphasized this point in court, highlighting the contrast between the gravity of the crime and Stokoe’s self-centered pursuits, which continued even during funeral arrangements. The family criticized the drawn-out legal process, noting that it took three Crown Court appearances before Stokoe entered a guilty plea, which they considered a waste of public resources and a further source of trauma.
Northumbria Police Superintendent Billy Mulligan, who led the investigation, described the event as “an accident waiting to happen.” He explained that Stokoe had been seen riding dangerously throughout the day, weaving between traffic and operating the bike without using the brake, often holding his mobile phone in one hand. The footage demonstrated the inherent danger of high-powered electric bikes, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph faster than many cars, particularly in the hands of inexperienced or impaired riders.
CCTV footage highlighted Stokoe’s disregard for the law and public safety. After hitting Ms. Stephenson, he briefly approached her but then returned to his bike and fled to a friend’s address, where he attempted to hide the vehicle. His mother ultimately convinced him to surrender, and he admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. Despite this, the entire episode left the community shaken, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter regulations and awareness regarding high-speed electric bikes on public roads.
The case of Billy Stokoe and Gloria Stephenson serves as a grim reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of reckless driving. It has sparked discussions on the dangers posed by electric bikes, the responsibilities of drivers, and the profound emotional impact on victims’ families. Ms. Stephenson’s daughters have called for legal reform, highlighting the ongoing risks such vehicles present to vulnerable pedestrians. The family’s statements, combined with law enforcement testimony and court proceedings, paint a sobering picture of preventable tragedy, negligence, and the profound human cost of one moment of reckless decision-making.
The loss of Gloria Stephenson is felt deeply by her family and the wider community, and the case underscores the need for vigilance, accountability, and stricter controls to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Her story is a testament to her vibrant life and the profound void left behind when safety is disregarded in favor of personal thrill or carelessness.
