Cyclist killed in crash died from ‘head injuries’ after being ‘thrown onto BMW bonnet and into air’
A cyclist who was at the centre of a crown court trial tragically died from head injuries, an inquest has ruled. Tesform Hebtemichael suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by 47-year-old Paul Dilks’ white BMW on the A171 Cargo Fleet Lane.
33-year-old Mr Hebtemichael, who had finished his shift at a local factory, was riding a pedal bike that didn’t have any reflectors or lights and he was wearing dark clothing and white trainers at the time of the crash on March 12, 2021. Thorntree[1] man Paul Dilks was accused of killing Mr Hebtemichael by careless driving but was found not guilty by a jury[2] at Teesside Crown Court[3] in May.
The court heard how Mr Dilks was travelling no less than 44mph, according to analysis, in a 30mph zone at the time of the incident. As previously reported, Mr Dilks began to break 0.4 seconds after Mr Hebtemichael, who was described as having his hood up and had earphones in, entered the toucan crossing – which was 15.4m away from the white BMW. Mr Hebtemichael was thrown onto the bonnet and into the air before crashing down on the opposite carriageway.
Mr Hebtemichael, who was Ethiopian, was taken to James Cook University Hospital[4], in Middlesbrough[5], but sadly died five days later. An inquest was held at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Monday, December 4, to determine the circumstances behind Mr Hebtemichael’s death. His cause of death was recorded as ‘head injury’.
The inquest confirmed that Mr Hebtemichael died on March 17, 2021, after being ‘struck by a motor vehicle whilst riding a pedal cycle on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough’. During Paul Dilks’ trial, Teesside Live reported that he told police during his second interview: “I just didn’t see the guy coming out. I was watching the road but he was just on top of me.”
He said after the crash: “I pulled my car off to the side. I was just sitting in the car in shock.” Mr Hebtemichael’s death was concluded as the result of a road traffic collision. For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here[6] to sign up to our free newsletter
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References
- ^ Thorntree (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ found not guilty by a jury (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Teesside Crown Court (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ James Cook University Hospital (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Middlesbrough (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select ‘Join Community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)