A man has admitted causing the death of a Chester cyclist by careless driving.
Polish national Damian Niepieklo, 22, denied a charge of causing the death of Alan Desmond Cronin by dangerous driving at Mold Crown Court today (Monday, August 17), and that was dropped by the prosecution.
The court heard the defendant accepted that he was aware he had been involved in an accident at the time, but claimed to have been unaware that he had struck a cyclist when he drove off.
He denied charges of failing to stop and failing to report an accident, which will be the subject of a trial in the local magistrates’ court.
Judge Rhys Rowlands remanded the defendant in custody pending sentence, which he fixed for October 2.
It was hoped that, by that date, the magistrates’ trial would have been held and the basis upon which he should be sentenced would be known.
The charges relate to the fatal accident involving the defendant’s Fiat Ducato van and cyclist Mr Cronin, 60, on the A483 northbound carriageway near the Rossett fly-over on June 11 this year.
Mr Cronin, of Guilden Sutton near Chester, died of his injuries.
The defendant followed today’s hearing with the aid of an interpreter.
Judge Rowlands said the family of the deceased should be told what the sentencing guidelines were for a charge of causing death by careless driving.
He said he had read a victim impact statement from Mr Cronin’s son which showed that he was just into retirement and was extremely fit and active.
The judge said the victim impact statement was measured, which made it all the more moving.
Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said the defendant’s plea to causing death by careless driving was acceptable to the prosecution.
It had been given very careful consideration at a senior level.
There was no evidence of excessive speed, no evidence of alcohol having been taken, and no evidence that he had been on a mobile phone.
He had stopped but then drove away.
Mr Philpotts said it was the prosecution case that he must have been aware that he had struck Mr Cronin.
The defendant did not accept that and said he thought he had struck a tree branch.
Defending barrister Duncan Bould said it was agreed that the charges of failing to stop and failing to report an accident could not be tried in the crown court.
