South Street crash: Man stands trial at Chelmsford Crown Court

Steven Lee, stands trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving and death by careless driving in connection with the death of Ryan Lynch, 29.

Mr Lynch tragically died of his injuries after he was hit by a white Audi R8 in South Street, Braintree in 2018.

Mr Lee denies both charges.

The car allegedly mounted the pavement at around 3.30pm on Sunday, April 8, before the collision occurred.

Mr Lynch, who was from the town, died from his injuries a week later in hospital.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Mr Lee knelt beside Mr Lynch after the collision and pleaded "please don't die on me".

A flower tribute on South Street

The court heard that Mr Lee had just taken his car to the car wash on South Street before proceeding along the road.

Braintree Kwikfit manager Paul Farrow was working at the time of the collision.

When Oliver Wellings, prosecuting asked Mr Farrow if he remembers Mr Lee saying anything he said: "He knelt beside the casualty and said please don't die on me",

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• Man denies charges in connection with crash which killed pedestrian

Another witness statement read aloud said they saw the victim "go up in the air" after the collision.

The statement said: "My attention was drawn to this car by its engine noise and the fact that it was a nice car in general, but it was not being driven in an aggressive manner.

"The rear of the car started to ‘wiggle’ before it mounted the curb. Almost at once the car collided with the rear of the pedestrian.

"He went up in the air and landed in a front garden."

Following his death, Mr Lynch’s parents led the tributes to their son.

In a statement they said: “Ryan was a dearly loved son, brother, uncle, partner and truly was a great friend to anyone who knew him.

“He enjoyed travelling, keeping fit, cycling, archery, cinema and anything to do with Star Wars and Marvel.

“All his family members and friends will greatly miss Ryan very much.”

Brother Daniel went on to raise more than £4,000 for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance in honour of Mr Lynch in the months after his death.

An air ambulance came to Mr Lynch’s aid in the moments after the collision and treated him at the scene before transferring him to hospital.

The trial is ongoing.