A motorist accused of causing a pensioner’s death by careless driving after a Penrith pedestrian crossing collision has gone on trial.
Kathleen Boddy, who was 77 and had recently moved to the town, died in hospital four days after she was struck by a white Alfa Romeo Giulietta on the late morning of Monday, October 14, 2019.
The Alfa Romeo was being driven by 48-year-old Susan Strong, who had been heading south on Victoria Road intending to meet a friend after carrying out an errand.
Carlisle Crown Court heard today how Strong moved into a filter lane intending to turn right on to Southend Road close to Penrith Leisure Centre.
Traffic lights had been on red and Strong slowed on approach but they then turned green and she proceeded through them, towards a pedestrian crossing Mrs Boddy was using. Weather conditions and visibility were good.
“The prosecution case is that she was not looking into the road she was turning into,” prosecutor Steve McNally told a crown court jury of Strong.
“The prosecution case is that, had she being doing so, she should have seen and would have seen Mrs Boddy either at the crossing or stepping out into the road.”
Strong’s Alfa Romeo collided with Mrs Boddy, who died on October 18.
Described as being extremely upset at the scene, Strong said when interviewed she had been looking ahead to check northbound filter lane. She denies a charge which alleges she caused Mrs Boddy’s death by driving carelessly — below the standard expected of a careful and competent driver.
As he opened what he described as unfortunately a very sad case, Mr McNally alleged to jurors: “We say looking in a fixed direction for too long and not looking, for example, into the direction you are turning, into the road you are turning is not driving with due care and attention. Drivers have to pay attention to all the potential hazards and adjust their driving accordingly.”
Mr McNally said of Strong, of Pearson Court, Penrith: “Her own account is that was that she didn’t see Mrs Boddy until a split second before her vehicle struck her. The important question to you, members of the jury, is why? Why did she not see Mrs Boddy until a split second before she collided with her.
“The prosecution say the defendant’s car should have slowed, should have allowed Mrs Boddy to complete her crossing.”
Mr McNally urged the jury to deal with the case dispassionately, adding: “Set aside any sympathy you may feel for anyone involved.”
The trial continues.
