‘Woman died after sustaining head injury in car crash’
A 76-YEAR-OLD woman died after sustaining a fatal head injury in a crash while she was going to the hairdressers, a court has heard.
Michael Pugh, 49, is currently on trial at Cardiff Crown Court accused of causing the death of Sandra Stroud by driving without due care and attention.
Pedestrian Sandra Stroud died after the silver Mitsubishi ASX Pugh was driving collided with her on November 30, 2019 on Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun.
She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff following the incident, but later died as a result of her injuries.
On Monday, a trial began at Cardiff Crown Court where a jury was told Pugh, who is licensee at the Farmers Arms in Cowbridge, “struck” Mrs Stroud when she was on her way to a hair appointment.
Prosecuting, Byron Broadstock told the court this is a case where a life was lost due to “careless driving”.
Mr Broadstock explained Mrs Stroud parked her car before getting out to walk to the hairdressers.
He told the court: “She lived nearby in Llantrisant and she was on her way to the hairdressers for a hair appointment.
“There is CCTV footage of the parking of the car.”
The court was told as he approached the junction, Pugh could travel north towards Llantrisant Road or south towards Cowbridge Road. He was turning onto Cowbridge Road, in a southerly direction.
“Mrs Stroud had parked her car in the car park,” Mr Broadstock added.
“Mr Pugh came out of Station Approach and turned right. Mrs Stroud was crossing the road and he struck her.
“There is no suggestion that Mr Pugh intended Sandra Stroud any harm whatsoever.
“This is a tragic accident but, potentially, an avoidable accident.
“The law requires us whenever you get into a car to drive with due care and attention. The pedestrian who was crossing the road has right of way.
“Tragically, he struck Mrs Stroud. She fell to the floor. Struck to the head. Two days later she died of a brain haemorrhage.”
Mr Broadstock explained two eyewitnesses actually saw the incident take place, and others witnessed the aftermath. Pugh was said to have been interviewed by the police following the crash. Mr Broadstock said, during his account of what happened, the defendant claimed he “looked both ways” before making the manoeuvre, and saw “it was clear”.
Mr Broadstock said the defendant said next thing he knew “there was somebody” in the road, but he claims he “didn’t see her”.
Witness to the collision, Lyn Ashcroft, told the court he arrived nearby at the Windsor Hotel at around 2.30pm when he saw the incident take place.
Mr Ashcroft told the court: “I saw a car pulling out of the junction. It pulled out and collided with a woman.
“The car was coming out of the junction – it was actually coming out of the give way lines. It was turning right down towards the village.”
Mr Ashcroft told the court he only saw the car at the point when it was moving over the lines to exit the junction. He also noted the weather was sunny and dry.
When asked where Mrs Stroud was standing when the incident took place, he replied: “She was half way out into the road. It all happened too quick.”
The trial continues.