Parents’ anger after court case over cyclist’s death collapses

 

The parents of a cyclist crushed to death by a lorry claimed today they only discovered a court case against the driver had collapsed when it emerged at her inquest — four months later.

Student Paula Jurek, 20, was dragged under a tipper truck in Camden on April 5, 2011. Barry Roe was charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. But in February, days before a trial was set to begin, the case was discontinued after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence, and fresh witness testimony emerged about Miss Jurek’s position on the road.

Her mother Iwona and father Zbigniew said they only found out at St Pancras Coroner’s Court this week. They and Paula’s sister Magda had travelled from Poland to be at the inquest.

Mrs Jurek said: “We’re shocked and angry. There has been no communication. We have been waiting for two years. We want to take this further. Justice would make the matter easier to take.” Mr Jurek said his daughter’s death had “killed their family”.

The CPS said: “Due to new evidence coming to light very shortly before the trial we had to make the decision ex-tremely promptly. We wrote letters to the parents and sister explaining our reasons. These were sent to police to send to the family on 23 February.” The Metropolitan Police claimed they had kept the family informed: “We have continued to liaise with the family to keep them updated with the status of our inquiries. We apologise for any distress the drawn-out nature of this investigation may have caused.”

The accident happened at the junction of Camden Road and St Pancras Way. At the inquest, witnesses said they did not see the lorry indicate before turning, but CCTV footage was unclear. Police found a loose bulb in a left-side indicator.

Mr Roe, 67, told the inquest: “I did not see [Paula] prior to the collision. I checked my mirrors. I indicated. I did not know about the defect with the indicator. I checked it that morning.”

Crash investigator Paul Deneyes said it was possible Miss Jurek was in the driver’s blind spot. She died of multiple injuries. Deputy Coroner Selena Lynch recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision. Miss Jurek lived in Tottenham and had been studying tourism at London Metropolitan University.

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