Speeding driver found guilty over death of woman

Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida was hit by a car near Wandsworth Bridge

A man has been found guilty over the death of an Ecuadorian politician's daughter who was killed while crossing a west London road with her fiancé.

Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, 28, was holding hands with partner Michael Williams as they walked home near Wandsworth Bridge, when she was hit by Octavian Cadar's car just after 22:00 GMT on 16 March 2022.

The Old Bailey was told the 39-year-old had been driving at more than twice the 20mph (32km/h) speed limit, causing Ms Sagnay to somersault in the air and land on a railing.

Cadar, of Bexley, south-east London, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

He had previously admitted causing death by careless driving but denied the more serious offence.

Ms Sagnay, who was known as Charlotte, suffered a head injury and died at the scene about 13 minutes later despite the efforts of an off-duty doctor, the Old Bailey heard.

In a police interview the defendant, who was driving a Mercedes, suggested Mr Williams caused the crash by "messing around in the road" and pulling Ms Sagnay backwards and forwards on the crossing.

However, when asked in court why he had chosen to blame Mr Williams, he said "I was wrong.

"I was in shock during the interview. I said Mr Williams stopped and waved his hands about."

The 28-year-old was the daughter of Ecuadorian politician Carlos Sagñay de la Bastida

Mr Williams told the jury the couple had been holding hands as they began to cross Bridgend Road, having checked it was clear at the pedestrian crossing.

He said they got halfway across the road when they heard a "loud revving" sound of a car accelerating and backfiring.

Prosecutor Amanda Hamilton told the court the couple had then panicked and fled in different directions.

Ms Hilton told the court a forensic expert had concluded Mr Cadar's car had travelled at an average speed of 55mph (88km/h) from a McDonald's drive-through to Bridgend Road.

She said he was doing 48mph (77km/h) just before impact in the 20mph zone.

Mr Cadar accepted he had been speeding but said he had been focused on avoiding the couple who were crossing the road.

The jury deliberated for 42 minutes to find him guilty of causing Ms Sangay's death by dangerous driving, which carries a maximum life sentence.

Judge Anuja Dhir KC granted the defendant continued bail until he is sentenced on a date to be confirmed.