Cyclist jumped red light and killed pensioner, court told

A CYCLIST killed a pensioner after riding through a red light and leaving him “bleeding and unconscious” in the road, a court has heard.

Ermir Loka, 23, is accused of the manslaughter of 73-year-old Peter Mccombie in a collision at around 5pm on July 3 2020.

Mr Mccombie died from severe brain injuries days after the crash on Bow Road, in the Tower Hamlets area of east London.

Mr Loka denies manslaughter and an alternative charge of causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Mr Loka was travelling at around 15mph when he collided with the pensioner.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said Mr Loka had been “cycling with a degree of purpose”, overtaking other cyclists as he travelled east on the cycle lane approaching a pedestrian crossing.

Jurors were told Mr Mccombie was using a pedestrian crossing close to Thames Magistrates’ Court, and had waited until he was given the green man signal to cross the road and cycle lane, which turned the lights red.

Ms Heer said: “As [Mr Loka] approached the pedestrian crossing, the lights were on red, and they had been on red for over five seconds. However,

he did not stop, instead he continued through the red light and crashed into Mr Mccombie, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head.

“As he lay on the road, bleeding and unconscious, the defendant – who had also fallen down – picked up his bike and cycled away, leaving others to call an ambulance for Mr Mccombie.”

Mr Mccombie suffered injuries including fractures and bruising to his left side, and damage to his skull on his

‘As he lay on the road, bleeding and unconscious, the defendant… picked up his bike and cycled away’

right, caused by hitting the ground.

Jurors were told Mr Loka abandoned his bike and later told police he did not stop at the scene.

Ms Heer said: “He said he was in a panic because of what had just happened but also because of his immigration status, which was not regularised, and because he knew the police would soon arrive. He said he thought the deceased would be OK.”

The court heard Mr Loka, of Leyton, east London, handed himself in to police on July 28.

The trial continues.