John Peto appears in court accused of causing death by careless driving
by Julia Roberts
A keen motorbike rider died after a motorist "took a chance" and
suddenly turned his car across his path, a court heard on
Monday.
Michael Hill, 60, was forced to brake heavily and skidded into
the side of the Honda Civic driven by John Peto.
The motorcyclist was then flung from his Triumph 1100cc bike and
struck a VW Transporter van as the driver desperately tried to
avoid the collision.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Hill became trapped underneath
the van. He was freed by firefighters but died at the scene from
multiple injuries.
It is alleged that Peto, 63, of Wheatsheaf Close,
Boughton-under-Blean, caused Mr Hill's death by careless
driving.
A jury at Maidstone Crown Court was told that Peto collided with
Mr Hill after suddenly cutting across his path on Whitstable Road,
Faversham, on September 22 last year.
The two men were travelling in opposite directions along the
road, which is also known locally as Graveney Road.
Mr Hill had been for lunch with friends at the nearby Three
Horseshoes pub in Staplestreet and was on his way to work in
Sittingbourne.
Peto was travelling from Faversham to Boughton and the accident
occurred as Peto, described as an experienced driver, turned right
at the junction with Homestall Road.
Prosecutor Allister Walker said Peto cut a blind corner as he
made the turn, suggesting he was rushing to get across the road,
and that his driving fell below what would be expected of a
competent and careful driver.
"If he failed to see the motorcycle then he should have seen
it," he explained. "If he saw it but turned right anyway, it was a
misjudgment that a competent driver should not have made.
"The defendant says that at all times he exercised due care and
attention and, despite looking, he was unable, for reasons the
prosecution cannot explain, to see the motorcycle. He denies taking
a chance and making the turn in front of the bike."
Mr Walker added that the prosecution had to prove that the
defendant either failed to see the oncoming motorcycle through
inattention or, having seen him, fatally misjudged the time needed
to complete the manoeuvre safely.
The trial continues.
21/11/11
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