Jury sees footage of pedestrian fatally hit by car

Albert Jarosz is on trial at Luton Crown Court, accused of causing death by dangerous driving

A motorist who hit a pedestrian at a town-centre crossing after undertaking a line of cars has gone on trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving.

Jurors at Luton Crown Court saw CCTV footage of 25-year-old Rodrigo-Vasile Cosma being hit by a black Audi A6 at a junction in Bedford in March 2024.

Audi driver Albert Jarosz, 27, of Brereton Road, Bedford, admits causing death by careless driving - but denies causing death by dangerous driving.

A jury heard how police estimated that Mr Jarosz was driving at 45mph in a 30 mph zone and were told how Mr Cosma had been thrown 35 metres - about 114 feet. The trial continues.

'Selfish'

Barrister Sam Barker, prosecuting, said the accident happened at about 18:30 BST on 26 March 2024 at the junction of Midland Road, River Street and Greyfriars in Bedford.

He said Mr Cosma was jogging over a crossing just after the traffic lights turned green.

Mr Jarosz had got ahead of vehicles which had been waiting at the lights by moving into a left-hand lane, then cutting back into a right-hand lane, he added.

Mr Barker said Mr Jarosz had been driving home and made a "selfish decision" to "beat the traffic" and "shave a few seconds" off his journey.

"You will hear evidence about a revving engine," Mr Barker told jurors.

"You will hear about speed and the manoeuvre that was being performed by the Audi."

He said jurors had to decide whether Mr Jarosz's driving fell "far below the standard of a careful and competent driver."

'I am sorry'

One witness told the trial, overseen by Judge Allison Hunter, how he heard a "loud noise", a car accelerating, and a "loud bang".

Another witness said the "black car" was going "very fast" and they criticised his driving.

A third witness said Mr Cosma had been wearing a "hi-viz jacket".

Mr Barker said Mr Cosma suffered "unsurvivable" brain injuries and had died in hospital shortly after the accident.

Jurors heard that Mr Jarosz had stopped and got out of the Audi.

A witness said he saw him with his head in his hands and saying "I am sorry".