HGV driver jailed for killing 74-year-old pedestrian

A lorry diver has been sentenced to more than three years in prison after he drove through a red light, killing a woman who had been crossing the road at the time.

Dariusz Meczynski, 51, of no fixed abode, had been driving a HGV on Oxford Road, Kidlington at 09:30 BST on 20 October 2022 when he failed to stop at the traffic lights.

He collided with a 74-years-old pedestrian, who sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

At the hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, Meczynski plead guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for three years and nine months.

He has also been disqualified from driving for six years.

Thames Valley Police lead investigator Richard Thorpe said: "Tragically, as a direct result of Meczynski's driving, he failed to stop at a red traffic light and collided with the victim resulting in her death."

Mr Thorpe praised the victim's family for their "great dignity and patience while we brought this case to court".

"Meczynski will now have to serve a prison sentence, where I hope he reflects on this needless and avoidable tragedy," he added.

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