Cody Dobbs, 22, died after the A41 motorbike crash at Backford on 19 September. The rider is no longer under arrest; police still want dashcam footage.

A 22-year-old man has died after a motorbike crash on the A41 Liverpool Road at Backford, about three miles north of Chester. He was the pillion passenger. Cheshire Police named him as Cody Dobbs on Tuesday, when his family paid tribute to him.

He worked as a chef at the Clock Tower in Northwich. His colleagues are holding a fundraising night in his memory there tonight, Friday 25 September, from 8.30pm.

What the police have said

The force set out the timeline in its witness appeal on Saturday 19 September and its update on Tuesday 22 September:

  • Officers were called at about 5.09am on Saturday 19 September to a crash on the A41 Liverpool Road near Heath Farm, in the Backford area.
  • One vehicle was involved, a black Kawasaki Z650 D2 motorcycle.
  • The pillion passenger was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died days later.
  • The rider, also a 22-year-old man, had minor injuries.

The rider was arrested at the scene. In Saturday’s appeal the force listed the suspected offences as causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

Tuesday’s statement says he “has since been de-arrested and is assisting officers with their enquires into the incident”. The force has not named him. Nobody has been charged.

Detective Sergeant Amy Hollis asked anyone who was on Liverpool Road around that time, and saw the bike, to come forward. She also asked drivers with dashcams to check their footage. “This is an ongoing live investigation,” she said, and asked people “to not engage in speculation, particularly on social media.”

His family’s tribute

His father said Cody was “such a joy with his smile, charisma, and caring nature to everyone he met”. He called him “an amazing chef” who had “accomplished so much already at such a young age”.

Both parents thanked the intensive care staff at the Countess of Chester. His father said the care there had been “truly outstanding”.

His mother said: “His life was clearly taken far too soon, and we will forever cherish the time we were lucky enough to have with him.”

The family also said their thoughts were with the rider, “as we are very aware that their life will too be changed forever at such a young age.”

Tonight’s fundraiser

According to the family’s statement, the night is at the Clock Tower, Chester Way, Northwich, CW9 5NF. It starts at 8.30pm and there will be a band. Family and friends are welcome.

The money raised will go to two causes:

  • the intensive care unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital
  • a local cat sanctuary, which the family described as “a cause close to Cody’s heart”

Anyone who wants to donate but cannot attend is asked to contact the Clock Tower’s managers.

What it means for you

If you drove the A41 between Backford and Chester early on Saturday 19 September, check your dashcam. Footage or information goes to Cheshire Police through its website or on 101, quoting reference IML-2420723.

If you knew Cody, tonight’s event is open to his friends, and the family has asked for no speculation about the crash while the investigation runs.

Our Chester roadworks and travel page carries this week’s planned closures around the city.

Sources