Driver ‘trying to jump lights’ at pedestrian crossing led to death
CARELESS DRIVING LED TO MAN’S FATAL HEAD INJURIES
A man was killed when a motorist failed to see him on a pedestrian crossing, a court heard.
The driver, Anthony Knight, was unaware 24-year-old Jaydeep Chavda was there until it was too late because a bin lorry was blocking his view – something for which he should have made allowances.
Mr Chavda, of Loughborough, suffered severe head injuries and died in hospital five days later.
The tragedy happened at 9.30am on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in Ling Road, Loughborough, as 30-year-old Knight approached red lights in his work’s Ford Fiesta.
The toucan crossing’s lights then turned to red and amber, as Knight was travelling at 29mph in the 30mph zone, Leicester Crown Court was told.
He failed to slow down or anticipate someone may be on the crossing, which he reached less than a second before the lights turned green.
However, the court was told that the crossing would have also displayed a “red man” light, indicating it was not safe to cross when the Mr Chavda stepped from the pavement.
He, too, was not appearing to be paying attention, according to witnesses in the bin lorry.
Gareth Gimson, prosecuting, said: “It contributed hugely to Mr Chavda’s own demise, that’s a sad fact of this tragedy.
“But the defendant, in the outside lane, should have appreciated he wasn’t in a position – because of the stationary bin lorry in the inside lane – to see if someone was crossing from the left side of the road.”
Knight, of King Street, Loughborough, had pleaded guilty to causing Mr Chavda’s death by careless driving, at an earlier hearing.
Judge Timothy Spencer QC said it was clear that Mr Chavda was a much-loved son, grandson and brother.
He said no sentence could evaluate the loss of a life, which was “beyond measure,” and he was simply “reflecting a judge’s application of the law and sentencing principles”.
He said: “The defendant was travelling Leicester-bound, as was the refuse lorry, which was on the inside lane.
“He approached the pedestrian crossing when the lights were red and, as he got much closer, they went to red and amber. “Jaydeep Chavda was walking along the pavement and made the decision to cross the carriageway... when he should not have been crossing. “The occupants of the refuse lorry were puzzled that he stepped out when he did.” Judge Spencer said the defendant tried to “jump the lights” which changed to green within 0.7 of a second of the impact with Mr Chavda.
He told Knight: “Whether it was a misjudgment or taking a chance on the lights changing, your driving
took the life of that young man... your driving was below the standard it should have been.”
He added that references spoke well of Knight as a hard-working man, and he accepted his remorse was genuine.
Ian Bridge, mitigating, said: “The most important thing for me to say is how sorry Anthony Knight is for the
pain and anguish he’s caused.
“He’s been affected very badly by it and whatever the facts are, it was his fault; he misjudged the situation and didn’t slow down when he should have done.”
There were no aggravating features such as excessive speed, mobile phone use or drink involved.
Mr Bridge added: “He misjudged
it and believed he would have been able to proceed safely – the error was a fraction of a second.”
He said Knight was otherwise considered a “conscientious and decent man,” with a clean licence.
Knight received an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for one year. He was banned from driving for 12 months.
Whether it was a misjudgment or taking a chance, your driving took the life of that young man
Judge Spencer