Haverhill woman denies causing death by careless driving

A jogger died when she was thrown 35 metres into a field after being hit by a car on an icy road, a court has been told.

Mother-of-two Claire Taylor, 41, was struck by a car which was out of control on an icy road on December 27, 2016, it has been alleged.

The driver of the car, Chantel Macbain, 26, of Shardlow Close, Haverhill, this week went on trial at Ipswich Crown Court having denied causing death by careless driving.

Macbain claimed that Mrs Taylor had suddenly ‘darted’ in front of her.

The jury has heard how Mrs Taylor had been running on the B1061 Thurlow Road when she was struck by Macbain’s Vauxhall Corsa car near Lower Mill Farm.

The impact threw Mrs Taylor 35 metres into into a field where she was subsequently declared dead.

Mrs Taylor lived in Thurlow Road, Great Bradley, and at the time of the accident had been on a training run in preparation for the Rome Marathon the following April.

Prosecuting, David Wilson told the court that it was not disputed that road conditions had been icy but alleged that Macbain had failed to take sufficient care.

It was estimated that Macbain had been travelling at not less than 40mph when the collision occurred, said Mr Wilson.

He claimed that she had not adjusted her driving to meet the road conditions.

The jury was told that Macbain had lost control of her car on the approach to a bend.

Mr Wilson alleged that Macbain had oversteered first to the left and then the right, mounted a grass verge and struck Mrs Taylor.

The court heard that although the road had been due to be gritted, that had not taken place due to an error.

Mrs Taylor had been seen immediately before the collision on the edge of the road and grass verge facing oncoming traffic.

In a police interview, Macbain claimed that Mrs Taylor had suddenly moved in front of her car without warning.

Mr Wilson told the jury that the prosecution believed Macbain was lying when she said that Mrs Taylor had darted in front of her car.

In a police interview, Macbain had claimed that in a ‘split second’ Mrs Taylor had appeared immediately in front of her.

Macbain told officers that she was aware of the frosty conditions and had been travelling at between 40mph and 45mph when the incident occurred.

The trial, which is expected to be completed by the end of this week, continues.

n For updates on the trial go to www.haverhillecho.co.uk