[A] SPEEDING Polish lorry driver whose dangerous driving killed a much loved great-grandmother has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Jaroslaw Mieczan, 44, wept at Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI) as he was locked up for causing a head-on crash on the A689 near the city last November. Maureen Smith, who was 86 and from Heads Nook, died at the scene from “multiple and catastrophic injuries”.
Mieczan was said to have been wearing flip-flops as his left-hand drive wagon travelled at a “constant” 54mph – above the 50mph HGV limit – despite signs warning motorists to “reduce speed” and “slow”.
He swerved suddenly to avoid a Ford Fiesta in front of him which was waiting to turn right for Irthington. But in doing so he careered on to the wrong side of the road and into the path of Mrs Smith’s oncoming Fiat Panda. She had no time to react or take evasive action.
A crown court jury heard Polish resident Mieczan should have been able to see the Fiesta in front for more than nine seconds before the fatal smash, and was probably “distracted”. He denied causing Mrs Smith’s death by dangerous driving but was convicted, unanimously.
Jailing Mieczan, Judge Barbara Forrester told him: “These cases are a tragedy for all involved in them.”
He was also handed a four-year driving ban and must pass an extended re-test.
Sergeant Claire Sampson said: “The speed limit on the road was 50mph for HGVs and Miezcan was found to be driving in excess of this.
“The investigation showed that, upon cresting the hill, Miezcan would have had at least 272 metres of clear view ahead of him, during which time he would have easily been able to see the stationary vehicle ahead of him. However, there was no reduction in speed until a short time before the collision with Maureen Smith’s car took place.
“The result of this poor standard of driving has been a tragic loss of life. My thoughts today, and the thoughts of everyone at Cumbria Constabulary, are with the family of Mrs Smith.”
Stuart Pattinson for the CPS said: “This is a tragic case of a fatal collision which could have been easily avoided.
“The CPS presented a case to the court which proved that Jaroslaw Mieczan had ample opportunity to see a stationary vehicle ahead waiting to turn. He was distracted until the last moment before the collision and made a conscious and dangerous decision to take an evasive manoeuvre into the path of oncoming traffic, instead of driving onto the grass verge.
“Throughout the case he denied that he drove dangerously, blaming others for the collision and claiming that he had done his best to avoid it. However, after hearing the evidence against him, the jury found him guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
“I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Smith. My thoughts are very much with them at this time.”
