Driver Harry Lock, 24, high on laughing gas killed mum-of-three after running red light in Exeter

A driver who ran a red light while inhaling laughing gas before killing a cyclist has been jailed. Harry Lock, 24, hit and fatally injured mother-of-three Maria Perez-Gonzalez, 53, while she was crossing the road.

Her devastated family has chosen to release footage of his BMW hitting her bike in a bid to deter dangerous drivers. Lock left a pub in Exeter, Devon, and was heading home to Plymouth when he stopped his BMW 4 Series to retrieve cannisters of nitrous oxide from the boot.

He was inhaling the gas as he drove through a red light and hit Miss Perez-Gonzalez while she crossed the road on her bike, the judge was told. The healthcare assistant from Exeter, died in hospital from her injuries two days later.

Lock ignored requests from his passenger to stop consuming the substance. He was sentenced to three years and four months at Exeter Crown Court on Friday (14 June).

The 24-year-old, from Plymouth, admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He will be disqualified from driving for two years on his release.

Lock initially told police under interview the traffic light had been green before he hit Maria in Western Way, Exeter, on 7 August 2021. But investigators proved otherwise by analysing pixels of the image of the lights, which were obscured by trees.

Officers were then able to determine sequence timing that showed Miss Perez-Gonzalez had been correctly crossing on a green light. The traffic light Lock missed had been red for nearly seven seconds, the police said.

Miss Perez-Gonzalez’s family have supported the release of footage of the incident in the hope it will warn other motorists of the consequences of dangerous driving. Sergeant Troy Bennett, of Devon & Cornwall Police’s serious collisions investigation team, said: “Harry Lock’s dangerous actions [...] 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.”

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.”