[A]N HGV driver on trial following a fatal road crash has told a jury he was “not completely” to blame for the collision.
Nigel James Stevens, 55, admits causing the death of van driver David Mitchell by careless driving. But Stevens denies his actions on the B5305 near Wigton, on the evening of November 6, 2015, were dangerous.
A jury at Carlisle Crown Court has heard Stevens was attempting to reverse his HGV into a farm entrance, in darkness, moments before the crash. His potato-laden trailer was said to be “across both carriageways” when it was struck at around “30-40mph” by Mr Mitchell’s van. He suffered fatal injuries.
Today (WED) the court heard Stevens, of Greenrigg Cottages, near Wigton, had said in police interview he believed his reverse manoeuvre to be safe. He had done it “many times”.
Giving evidence, Stevens insisted he was “not completely” responsible for the collision. He agreed the “actions of others” also contributed, telling the jury Mr Mitchell had approached his wagon “at great speed” before the “almighty impact”.
The trial continues.
