Trimley careless crash death trial begins in Ipswich

Retired Essex Police chief inspector Andrew Down, who lived in Felixstowe, died from his injuries after a crash on the roundabout just off the A14 at Trimley St Martin on November 26 2020.

The cyclist was hit by an 18 ton Iveco tipper lorry carrying sand driven by Charles Wilkinson, Ipswich Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

Mr Down served with Essex Police for 30 years, beginning as a cadet at Hendon, spending 24 years as a detective in the Southend area, before retiring as a chief inspector in Colchester.

Nicholas Bleaney, prosecuting, said Wilkinson had pulled off the A14 and was approaching the roundabout in Kirton Road when he hit Mr Down, who came from the right, as he passed in front of the lorry.

Mr Bleaney said Wilkinson hadn’t seen Mr Down, who was wearing a bright yellow high vis jacket, until the “very last minute”.

Dashcam footage from the lorry played to the jury showed Mr Down being hit by the lorry and rolling down the road after coming off his bike.

Following the collision Mr Down was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, but died after life support was withdrawn three days later because of the extent of his injuries.

Wilkinson, 36, of Queens Road, Felixstowe, has denied causing Mr Down’s death by careless driving.

Mr Bleaney said there was no suggestion that Wilkinson had been under the influence of drink or drugs, speeding, using his phone or hadn't had enough sleep at the time of the collision.

“The prosecution case is that Andrew Down was visible and could have been seen and should have been seen and we suggest the defendant is sitting in the dock because his driving fell below the standard of an ordinary, careful driver," he said.

He said that prosecution and defence experts agreed that there were three blind spots in the lorry Wilkinson was driving.

However, Mr Bleaney said that by moving his head around Wilkinson, who was driving at around 20mph, could and should have been in a position to have seen Mr Down.

“”If you can’t see, you don’t go,” he added.

During a police interview Wilkinson said he hadn’t seen Mr Down until the last minute because of blind spots on his lorry.

“I slammed on the brakes but by then it was too late,” said Wilkinson.

The trial continues.