Van driver who killed Team GB triathlete during time trial event on dual carriage way after he crashed into back of her bike is jailed for four years
- Rebecca Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial event when hit by the van
- Vasile Barbu was found guilty of causing her death at Cardiff Crown Court
A van driver who killed a Team GB[2] triathlete during time trial event on dual carriage way has been jailed for four years.
Rebecca Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial event on a dual carriageway when she was shunted off her bike by courier Vasile Barbu.
A court heard her son George was also taking part in the event and was told afterwards his mother had been knocked down and was on his way to hospital when he learned she had died.
Barbu, 49, told police he had no idea he had ploughed into the mum-of-two and thought a noise from the crash was a parcel falling in his van.
Mrs Comins was riding on a clear sunny day and had a bright flashing light attached to her bike when she was sent flying into the air.
Rebecca Comins, 52, was taking part in a time trial event on a dual carriageway when she was shunted off her bike by courier Vasile Barbu
Barbu, 49, told police he had no idea he had ploughed into the mum-of-two and thought a noise from the crash was a parcel falling in his van – he was jailed for four years today
Mrs Comins was riding on a clear sunny day and had a bright flashing light attached to her bike when she was sent flying into the air
Barbu had an empty lane of a dual carriageway he could have moved into to avoid the collision but instead went straight into the back of her.
He was found guilty of causing her death by dangerous driving following a five day trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Shoman Khan told him: ‘You could very easily have moved to the outside lane to overtake her as other drivers had.
‘You could, and should, have given her far more space. You could, and should, have given yourself far more time.’
The judge said the only ‘sensible conclusion’ was that Barbu had made a ‘catastrophic decision to overtake at the last second’ and ploughed into the back of Mrs Comins’ bike.
‘Only you know why you failed to carry out what should have been a very simple manoeuvre,’ he said.
‘She was there to be seen, she was there to be seen for many seconds. This was not, I am sure, an emergency situation. It should have been a routine overtaking manoeuvre.’
In a victim impact statement Mrs Comins’ son George said he had competed in the event alongside his mother and represented Wales and Team GB alongside her but had not ridden his time trial bike since her tragic death.
Barbu was jailed for four years and handed an additional two year driving ban.
In a tribute, Mrs Comins’ family said she was a ‘wonderful’ wife and mother to husband Stephen and children George and Millie.
In a victim impact statement Mrs Comins’ son George said he had competed in the event alongside his mother and represented Wales and Team GB alongside her but had not ridden his time trial bike since her tragic death
In a tribute, Mrs Comins’ family said she was a ‘wonderful’ wife and mother to husband Stephen and children George and Millie
They added: Beckie was incredibly kind and an inspiration to so many. Her impact on the lives of people throughout the local and sporting community has become especially evident by the abundance of tributes and memories shared since her death.
‘She loved her family, friends and sport and was always the first person to offer help and advice.
‘We are so proud of what she achieved in her life.
‘Our lives changed forever when we lost Beckie on 2nd June 2022. The verdict will never bring Beckie back.
‘No words can describe our pain knowing we will never see her laugh and smile again. We miss her so much and she will forever be in our hearts.
‘We are grateful for the support from our friends and family over what have been a very difficult two years. And for support in the future as we continue to navigate life without Beckie.
‘We’d like to thank emergency services and the general public who assisted on the day of the accident. Giving us peace of mind that she got the best care possible and nothing more could have been done.
‘We’d also like to thank witnesses who not only helped on the day but have come forward and provided evidence to assist in the case over the last two years.
‘Finally, we’d like to thank officers from Gwent Police and also the prosecution team for their hard work in the case and for the support they have given us throughout.’
During the trial the court heard Barbu could not explain the reason for the crash and said he had given Mrs Comins a gap to pass her.
Prosecutor James Wilson said: ‘He told police he made his manoeuvre to pass and used his hands to indicate to police he made a gliding movement past her.
‘He said he then heard a knock, he told police ‘I don’t think I hit her’ but he stopped his van because as the van was fully loaded he thought a parcel had moved in the back.
‘He said when he stopped he could not see anything in the back but he saw damage to the headlight then he saw the cyclist on the ground and the damaged bike.’
The judge said the only ‘sensible conclusion’ was that Barbu had made a ‘catastrophic decision to overtake at the last second’ and ploughed into the back of Mrs Comins’ bike
Mrs Comins had been taking part in a time trial cycling race with warning signs in place and other cyclists on the road when the tragedy happened
Mrs Comins had been taking part in a time trial cycling race with warning signs in place and other cyclists on the road when the tragedy happened.
Cyclists set off at one minute intervals along the A40 dual carriageway near Raglan, South Wales, in the event organised by local club Monmouthshire Wheelers.
Another participant told how moments before the fatal collision Barbu passed so close to his bike he was ‘buzzed’ by the white Vauxhall Movano van and the wind turbulence caused him to wobble across the road.
Mr Wilson said: ‘Rebecca Comins was there to be seen. Visibility was good, she was cycling with a bright rear light so was clearly obvious to other witnesses.
‘Her presence on that road was not unexpected. Barbu would have seen the road signs for the cycling event taking place and would have passed other similar cyclists before he reached Mrs Comins.
‘She was cycling in a proper manner and correctly positioned on the road. She was on a long, straight stretch of road with plenty of time for him to see her.
‘Further he had space in the outside lane to move into and safely manoeuvre around her and to avoid colliding. He instead directly hit Mrs Comins from behind.
‘This was not a momentary misjudgement or lack of concentration. From the road and the weather conditions and how conspicuous she would have been, the defendant’s failure to avoid colliding into the back of Mrs Comins was a gross, catastrophic failure which amounted to dangerous driving.
‘His dangerous driving caused the death of Mrs Comins.’
Tributes were paid to Rebecca, known as Beckie, who was the Vintage Veteran Champion of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series at the time of her death in June 2022 and had represented Wales the weekend before the crash.
In a statement, Welsh Triathlon said: ‘Becky was a fierce competitor, but with it had a positivity and energy that was infectious.
‘Becky was a multiple Ironman Wales finisher and also represented the Great Britain Age Group Team at the European Championships in Tartu 2018, as well as at the World Championships in Lausanne in 2019, finishing competitively in both.
‘She loved the sport; she loved the training and Becky was central to any social activities across her clubs.
‘Becky will be sadly missed by everyone within our triathlon community, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Becky’s family, Steve, George and Millie and her wider friends at this sad time.’
She was a member of the Dragon Tri Club, Newport Phoenix Cycling Club and Caldicot Running Club.