Jailed: Speeding Mercedes Death Driver

Ten Years: Octavian Cadar

A speeding Mercedes driver, who killed a psychology graduate as she crossed the road with her fiancé, was jailed for ten years yesterday.

Octavian Cadar, 39, was travelling at 55mph when he fatally struck Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida, 27, the daughter of an Ecuadorian politician.

She studied psychology at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland and graduated from King’s College London with a Master of Science in Psychology.

She was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck just to the south of Wandsworth Bridge while crossing Bridgend Road, Wandsworth at 10.00pm on March 16, 2022.

Cadar, of Exmoor House, Clydesdale Way, Belvedere, Bexley was unanimously convicted by an Old Bailey jury of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also disqualified from driving for ten years.

Despite an Air Ambulance attending the scene, sadly nothing could be done to save Charlotte, who was employed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as a research assistant within their Department of Psychology.

She is the daughter of Ecuadorian politician Carlos Sagnay de la Bastia - uncle of private art collector Harriet Clapham, the wife of Sotheby’s director Harry Primrose, Lord Dalmeny. 

Her fiancé Michael Williams was crossing the road with her and witnessed the horrific collision, which saw Charlotte thrown into a road sign and over railing.

Tragedy: Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida

They had been holding hands, but Charlotte was struck as she attempted to return to the safety of the pavement.

Cadar had initially claimed the couple were “messing about in the road” and was aggressive at the scene of the tragedy.

Mr Williams described him as “angry” as the driver shouted: “Why did you freeze? Why didn’t you keep walking?”

Following the tragedy Charlotte’s closest friend Kristina Smirnoffa wrote: “It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida at the young age of twenty-seven.

“Charlotte was everything, a loving fiancé to Michael, a caring friend, a kind daughter, a hard worker, a fantastic cheerleader.

“Charlotte was the main character in most of our lives. Charlotte lit up every room she walked into.

“She was a true princess and a fighter. She was beautiful inside and out…for the way she thought…for the way her eyes sparkled…for the way she lifted others up around her.

“She was taken from us so soon, so suddenly, without a goodbye. Charlotte will be missed dearly.”

At the time Detective Constable Jenny Burr, who led the initial investigation, said: “Wandsworth Bridge is a popular and busy route across the Thames and it is likely that people either witnessed the collision, or may have dash-cam footage that could assist our investigation.

“I am appealing to those people to get in touch. Our thoughts are with her family.”