A ROAD traffic collision expert says a fatal collision was “unavoidable” due to the dangerous speeds the vehicles were hitting.
Essex Police officer Katherine Burke said a BMW involved in the smash was travelling at an average speed of 67mph through a 30mph limit prior to impact.
The collision, in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, saw 29-year-old Kerrin Repman knocked off his moped by Keith McCarthy and suffer catastrophic injuries.
Kerrin, a father-of-three, died at the scene on the afternoon of April 15, 2020.
McCarthy, 42, was subsequently charged with murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies both charges.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard the collision occurred 18 metres from the junction with Cliff Road and left a gauge in the road surface.
It followed Kerrin and McCarthy, of Hordle Street, Dovercourt, passing each other in Fronks Road.
READ MORE >> Father-of-three hid in chicken shop from 'drugs boss' fearing for his life
McCarthy then completed a dangerous 180-degree manoeuvre and launched a terrifying pursuit of the 29-year-old through the 30mph limit streets.
CCTV footage played to the court from a camera on the corner of First Avenue captured McCarthy’s BMW zooming through Fronks Road as he carried out his chase.
Ms Burke, of the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, said this footage suggested McCarthy had travelled at an average speed of 67mph until the point of impact 285 metres later.
“There was not a lot of gap between the scooter and the BMW immediately prior to the collision,” said the expert.
“Where he [McCarthy] was had given him no time to be able to react or do anything to avoid a collision if there was a change in circumstances.”
Jane Bickerstaff KC, defending, said due to traffic pulling out the way of the two, a chicane had effectively been created and meant both vehicles had to quickly swerve seconds before impact.
She added on Fronks Road the road was clear ahead of McCarthy and, in theory, he could have “rammed” Kerrin there if this was him aim, such was the difference in engine power between the two.
Being cross-examined by Ms Bickerstaff, Ms Burke said “maybe, yes”, when asked if the scooter could have braked at the point of collision.
- The trial continues.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article