Kevin Allen, a 69-year-old lorry driver from Mansfield, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for causing the death of cyclist Dr Marta Krawiec by dangerous driving. The tragic incident occurred on August 4, 2021, at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road in Holborn.
Dr Krawiec, a 41-year-old paediatrician, was cycling to work when she was struck and dragged under the wheel of Allen’s lorry. Despite her desperate cries, she was unable to avoid the collision, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the trial, it was revealed that Allen failed to properly indicate his intention to turn left, as required by law. Instead, he began indicating after initiating the turn, leading to the fatal collision with Dr Krawiec, who was travelling straight ahead.
Prosecutor Paul Casey highlighted Allen’s failure to indicate in a timely manner as a crucial factor in the tragic outcome of the accident. He emphasized that the collision was solely caused by Allen’s error and that there were no other contributing factors, such as adverse weather conditions or vehicle malfunctions.
In his defence, Allen explained that he had been delivering steel to a nearby building site and needed to use the middle lane to make the left turn due to the length of his vehicle. However, he conceded that he failed to properly check his blind spots and did not indicate his intention to turn left in a timely manner.
The sentencing judge also banned Allen from driving for three years and six months, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the devastating consequences for Dr Krawiec’s family and the community.
