Driver before court over death of dad who was hit by car
NO PLEA MADE DURING HEARING VIA VIDEO LINK
A DERBY man has appeared before a court charged with causing the death of a pedestrian in a collision in the city.
Adeel Khan was not asked to enter any plea over a video link to Derby Crown Court while he was sitting in a car.
The 28-year-old, of Normanton, is alleged to have been responsible for killing Vilnis Vancans, who was struck by a grey Mini being driven by Khan near Stockbrook Street on May 10, 2019.
Khan, of Cambridge Street, was arrested at the time and has now been charged with causing death through careless or inconsiderate driving.
Judge Jonathan Bennett set a provisional trial date to February 21, 2022.
Handing the defendant bail he said: “Mr Khan, I have not taken your plea at the request of your counsel, who have indicated they are seeking to get their own reports.
“Nevertheless we have identified a trial date in February 2022 which is not next year but the year after, some 14 months away.
“You must attend that trial and you must keep on contact with those who represent you.” Khan replied: “Okay.”
A further hearing where Khan is expected to enter his plea to the charge was set to February 26, 2021.
Father-of-two Mr Vancans, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which took place in Arundel Street at around 9.30pm.
Speaking the day afterwards, neighbours in the street expressed their shock and sadness he had died in the collision.
One, a woman who did not wish to be named, said she was the first to call 999 after she heard what she said sounded like “a loud bang”.
She said: “I thought a car had crashed into one of the cars parked in the street. I came out into the road and there was a vehicle parked at the top [at its junction with Bedford Street].
“I saw the gentleman on the floor. He was very poorly. He was breathing but he wasn’t conscious.”
Days after the incident, a Gofundme page was created to help Mr Vancans’ family. It said: “A loving son, brother, father and husband Vilnis Vancans was tragically lost on the eve of 10th of May.
“Vilnis, the main provider for the family, leaves behind a devoted wife and two young daughters aged four and nine.
“Vilnis touched the hearts of many people by being helpful and kind. He always put others first.”
And also following the collision Mr Vancans’ wife, who did not wish to be named, wrote a poem in memory of her late husband. It read:
He never thought when leaving home,
He would never more return, That he in death, so soon would sleep,
And leave us here alone.
He was always there when we needed him,
No task too great or small, With loving heart and willing hands,
For us he did it all.
We hold him close within our hearts,
And there he shall remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives,
Until we meet again.