HGV driver guilty of causing fatal Carlisle head-on crash
- Published
Maureen Smith's family said she was "much loved"
A speeding lorry driver has been found guilty of causing a head-on smash which killed a great-grandmother.
Maureen Smith, 86, of Brampton, Cumbria, died when her Fiat Panda was hit by an HGV driven by Jaroslaw Mieczan near Carlisle on 16 November.
The 44-year-old Polish national had denied causing death by dangerous driving but was convicted unanimously by a jury at Carlisle Crown Court.
Mieczan was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Friday.
The court heard Mieczan, who was wearing flip-flops at the time of the crash, had been driving at 54mph (87kmh) - 4mph (7kmh) above the limit for lorries.
He swerved to avoid a Ford Fiesta in front of him on the A689, which had braked and indicated to make a right turn towards Irthington at about 15:10 GMT.
However, in doing so he "steered directly" into Ms Smith's oncoming vehicle.
Mieczan, of Molodiatycze, Trzeszczany, said he tried to avoid a collision, but the driver of the Fiesta told the court Mieczan was travelling "too fast".
Prosecutor Kim Whittleston said great-grandmother Ms Smith's driving had been "impeccable" and "no blame" could be directed at her.
- Published4 April 2018
- Published3 April 2018
