A lorry driver has been found guilty of killing a female cyclist who was dragged under the wheels of his vehicle. Dr Marta Krawiec was cycling to work in central London on August 4 2021 when she was hit by a Mercedes heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driven by Kevin Allen of Forest Town.

The 41-year-old died after the collision at the junction of Southampton Row and Theobalds Road, near Holborn. Jurors were told Dr Krawiec's death was the result of a "driver error" on 69-year-old Allen's part, due to his failure to indicate until just before he turned.

On Friday, a jury at the Old Bailey found Allen guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a majority of 10 to two. Judge Richard Marks said it was a "tragic and difficult case" as he adjourned sentencing.

Previously, prosecutor Paul Casey said Allen had been driving from Leigh Delamere services, near Chippenham in Wiltshire, delivering steel to a building site in the capital on the "bright, clear summer morning". The HGV was stationary at a red light in the middle of three lanes at the junction. Dr Krawiec, who was wearing brightly coloured clothes and a helmet, was behind the vehicle to the left.

Mr Casey told the court: "There is nothing to suggest her attention was not fully focused on the road." Allen had not been indicating and was in the lane to move forward, rather than left, jurors heard.

When the light turned green and Dr Krawiec had moved level with the HGV, Allen then indicated to turn left and drove in that direction, clipping the rear wheel of the bicycle.

Dr Krawiec, who worked at a clinic in Clapham, south-west London, "screamed" and was dragged under the lorry's wheels, suffering multiple injuries, which were fatal. Mr Casey said the HGV was moving at up to 7mph and excess speed was "not a factor".

Allen, who heard a "squeal" when the vehicle hit Dr Krawiec, passed an eyesight test and was negative for drink and drugs. Neither the lorry nor the bicycle had any defects.

The defendant accepted in a police interview that he had not indicated and said he had checked his mirrors but had not seen the cyclist near his cab, jurors heard.

Mr Casey told the court it was "imperative" that Allen "made clear his intentions", adding that his failure to indicate "fell far below the standard of a competent and careful driver" and had "catastrophic consequences".

Allen, of Forest Town, Nottinghamshire, had admitted causing her death by careless driving but denied it was dangerous.

He was granted continued bail until his sentencing on a date to be fixed.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/nottinghamshire-lorry-driver-who-failed-9030998