A YOUNG woman “would have seen” a pensioner in the road 60 metres before a car she was driving hit and killed her.

Hivda Altuntop, 21, proceeded to flee from the scene in Harwich Road, Great Oakley, after striking Penelope Coggan, 73, as she crossed the road.

Forensic Collision Investigator Jonathan Ward told Chelmsford Crown Court that there was enough time for Altuntop to “stop, swerve or slow” to avoid the fatal collision on April 24, 2021.

CCTV footage suggested she sped at up to 38mph within the 30mph limit and did not brake while Mrs Coggan, who was pushing a lawnmower, crossed the road.

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The pensioner tragically died at the scene as a result of the catastrophic injuries she sustained, despite the desperate efforts of her son, Michael, who tried to revive her.

Collision expert Mr Ward said Mrs Coggan was seen to check if it was safe to cross multiple times before and during doing so.

He said: “It appears from the CCTV that some 3.4 seconds after she entered the road, the Astra struck Mrs Coggan.

“Her lawnmower was there for a significant amount of time before she entered the carriageway.”

“It would have been possible for Hivda Altuntop to stop prior to the collision.

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“Slowing, perhaps steering to avoid [Mrs Coggan] would have been appropriate responses.”

Mr Ward added had the Astra been travelling at 30mph at the point the 73-year-old entered the road, she would have got across safely.

Eyewitness Catherine Cocker was walking towards the shops in Harwich Road with her daughter in a pushchair.

The mother told the court she realised her daughter had lost her shoe but soon saw Mrs Coggan, who was laughing, had picked it up.

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“I put the shoe underneath the pram and had my back to Penny. I stood up to walk away when I heard a loud bang and a crack,” she said.

“I heard the lawnmower she was pushing. I glanced and saw a grey vehicle speeding away.”

Altuntop denies two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two counts of dangerous driving, two counts of possession of a knife, possession of cannabis, assaulting an emergency worker and causing death by dangerous driving.

  • The trial continues.