Hippy-crack driver, 24, who killed cyclist, 56, as he inhaled laughing gas from a balloon while driving BMW with his knees is jailed - as horrific CCTV shows moment car knocks down nurse

A hippy-crack driver who killed a cyclist as he inhaled laughing gas from a balloon while driving a BMW with his knees has been jailed. 

Harry Lock, 24, killed mother-of-three Maria Perez-Gonzalez, 53, while she was crossing the road on her bike in Western Way, Exeter, on August 7 2021.

Lock had been on a day out with a female friend and had stopped shortly before the accident to get canisters of nitrous oxide and balloons out of the boot of his car, which he filled as he drove.

He was heading home to Plymouth when he ran a red light while inhaling from a nitrous oxide canister and hit Miss Perez-Gonzalez.

His female passenger warned him about driving while inhaling the gas but he ignored her. He asked her to hide the canisters after the crash and told her to say the light had been green.

Lock, of Shortwood Crescent, Plymouth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and appeared before Exeter Crown Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison — and he will be disqualified from driving for two years on his release. 

Mexican-born Miss Perez-Gonzalez, a healthcare assistant from Exeter, died in hospital from her injuries two days later.

Lock initially told police under interview the traffic light had been green, but investigators later proved otherwise through details spotted in CCTV.

While the scene was obscured by foliage in footage, Detective Constable John Greathead noticed subtle pixel changes which were in fact the crossing lights.

Officers were then able to determine sequence timing that showed Miss Perez-Gonzalez had been correctly traversing Western Way from Barnfield Road to a green crossing light. The traffic light Lock missed had been red for nearly seven seconds.

Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court told Lock: 'You chose to inhale nitrous oxide from up to three canisters and stopped your vehicle to access them. You inflated the balloons and inhaled the gas. There were many points along the way at which you could and should have stopped this foolish activity.

'The nitrous oxide impaired your judgment and slowed your reactions. That is particularly noxious in relation to a driving offence. You made efforts to tidy up the car and showed moral cowardice in asking your passenger to say the light was green.

Mr Joss Ticehurst, prosecuting, said the accident happened at around 8.30pm on August 7, 2021, and inquiries showed that the light had been at red for seven seconds before Lock drove through it — after he said it had been green but police found the proof in CCTV months later.

He was driving within the speed limit and should have seen the light from 130 metres away. His passenger told police that at one stage in his journey he had used his knees to steer while using both hands to fill a balloon with the gas.

Miss Perez-Gonzalez's family have supported the release of distressing footage of the incident in the hope it will warn other motorists of the tragic consequences of dangerous driving.

The effect of nitrous oxide was to induce euphoria, laughter, giggling, confusion, possible hallucinations, and loss of judgment.

Mr Daniel Pawson-Pounds, defending, said Lock had consumed only three canisters at most and his driving had otherwise been normal and legal. 

He said he was only 21 at the time, and has no other convictions and excellent references from employers, friends and family.

Sergeant Troy Bennett, of Devon & Cornwall Police, said: 'Harry Lock's dangerous actions on the evening of 7 August 2021, where he drove while using nitrous oxide and contravened a red traffic light, had catastrophic and fatal consequences.

'Those tragic consequences are felt by the family of Maria Perez-Gonzalez to this day as they continue to mourn her loss.

'As Lock starts his sentence, he can reflect on his poor choices that evening.

'Driving while impaired is one of the 'fatal five' most dangerous driving behaviours that often contribute to fatal or serious road traffic collisions.

'I urge all those who get behind the wheel to ensure they never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and that they drive carefully.'

'I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work of officers from the Serious Collisions Investigation Team, especially DC Greathead who has investigated this case for almost three years. He diligently built the case against Lock over many months, and also provided ongoing support and updates to the family of Maria who live across the UK and in America.'

Miss Perez-Gonzalez's three sons have paid tribute to her.

They said in a statement: 'Maria Perez-Gonzalez was a loving, caring mum to Edgar, Chris and Jorge who desperately miss her.

'She was an incredible person who accomplished amazing things in life, who was going to achieve so much more. 

'A year away from reuniting with her oldest son, Edgar, after 20 years. She was a remarkable woman that helped whoever surrounded her.

'She had been through difficult times but always stayed positive, even in the face of the extreme adversity, testament to her strength and courage. 

'She was a health care assistant at the RD&E, just about to embark on university nursing course before she was so cruelly taken.'

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

Commissioner Hernandez said: 'My heart goes out to the family and friends of Miss Perez-Gonzalez. Her death was completely avoidable and I welcome the sentence passed down to Harry Lock today.

'This tragic case should give a clear warning to anyone who think it's OK to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is hugely irresponsible and the consequences can be catastrophic.

'Not only will this offender be spending time behind bars, but he will forever have to live with the fact that his selfish actions have left a family without their mother.'