The driver of a VW mini-van who fatally collided with a scooter rider at a notorious accident blackspot on a rainy night was not using his windscreen wipers, a court heard.
Carl Phillip Lander, 39, of The Moat, Toot Hill, Ongar, Essex, has pleaded not guilty to causing the death, by dangerous driving, of 33 year-old father-of-two Shane Stanfield at the junction of Epping New Road and Woodford Green High Road on October 20, 2008.
Ex-DJ Mr. Stanfield (pictured), of Rounton Road, Waltham Abbey, suffered multiple rib fractures and fatal internal injuries after colliding with a VW Caravelle which turned across his path.
He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
“The defendant did tell police he had not had his windscreen wipers on. It is the sort of thing that may have contributed to him not seeing this scooter coming towards him which he should have done,” prosecutor Mr. David Tomlinson told the Snaresbrook Crown Court jury.
“We are talking here about a case where somebody lost his life,” Mr. Tomlinson told the court, explaining there is no reasonable excuse for Lander not spotting the Yamaha scooter rider as he turned right.
It was 6.25pm when the tragedy occurred, the jury heard. “There is no doubt these two vehicles were driving towards each other as the defendant wished to make a right turn putting him in the path of the oncoming traffic. He had a clear duty to wait.
“Unhappily here he executed the right turn at the same time Mr. Stanfield’s little scooter got too close to him,” explained Mr. Tomlinson. “He drove across the path of the scooter and it was not possible for Mr. Stanfield to stop in time.
“Mr. Stanfield braked, locking his front wheel, and the scooter went down on its side and started to slide.
“Mr. Stanfield got separated from the scooter and they were carried into the near-side of the defendant’s vehicle.
“He suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and died a short time afterwards of internal injuries.
“The death of this man was caused, of course, by this man’s driving,” added Mr. Tomlinson.
“What happened here was over in a split-second or a second or two at the most, but of course it was a life-changing event.”
Investigating officers later quizzed Lander. “He told the police he did not see Mr. Stanfield’s scooter coming towards him.
“The scooter was available to be seen,” said Mr. Tomlinson. “It is the prosecution case it could not have been missed by a competent and careful driver at the time.”
Mr. Stanfield had just overtaken a white Ford Transit van driven by eyewitness Alan Gibson who told police the rider may have been exceeding the 30 mph speed limit.
“The rider may have been doing more than 30 mph, but nothing like enough to explain the misjudgement of this defendant,” added Mr. Tomlinson.
At the time of his death Mr. Stanfield left behind partner Kelly and sons Connor, 7 and Ronnie aged 11 months.
The trial is expected to last four to five days.
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