HGV driver ‘guilty of killing cyclist’ after Holborn crash

On August 4, 2021, Kevin Allen, a HGV driver from Forest Town, Nottinghamshire, was transporting steel from Leigh Delamere services, on the M4 near Chippenham, to a London building site when his vehicle hit Dr Marta Krawiec.

The 41-year-old, who was cycling to work, was dragged under the wheels of the Mercedes HGV and died following the collision at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road, near Holborn.

Jurors were told Dr Krawiec’s death was the result of a “driver error” on 69-year-old Allen’s part, due to his failure to indicate until just before turning.

On Friday, a jury at the Old Bailey found Allen guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a majority of 10 to two.

Judge Richard Marks said it was a “tragic and difficult case”.

Leigh Delamere (Image: Newsquest)

The HGV was stationary at a red light in the middle of three lanes at the junction, the court heard.

Dr Krawiec, wearing brightly coloured clothes and a helmet, was behind the vehicle to the left.

Prosecutor Paul Casey added: “There is nothing to suggest her attention was not fully focused on the road.”

Allen had not been indicating and was in the lane to move forward, rather than left, jurors heard.

When the light turned green and Dr Krawiec moved level with the HGV, Allen then indicated to turn left and drove in that direction, clipping the rear wheel of the bicycle.

Dr Krawiec, who worked at a clinic in Clapham, south-west London, “screamed” and was dragged under the lorry’s wheels, suffering multiple injuries, which were fatal.

Mr Casey said the HGV was moving at up to 7mph and excess speed was “not a factor”.

Leigh Delamere, Wiltshire (Image: Newsquest)

Allen, who heard a “squeal” when the vehicle hit Dr Krawiec, passed an eyesight test and was negative for drink and drugs.

Neither the lorry nor the bicycle had any defects.

The defendant accepted in a police interview that he had not indicated and said he checked his mirrors but had not seen the cyclist near his cab, jurors heard.

Mr Casey told the court it was “imperative” that Allen “made clear his intentions”, adding that his failure to indicate “fell far below the standard of a competent and careful driver” and had “catastrophic consequences”.

Allen had admitted causing her death by careless driving but denied it was dangerous.

He was granted continued bail until his sentencing on a date to be fixed.