Jury considers verdict over Telford crash that killed motorist and horse
A jury was today considering its verdict on whether a man was responsible for a "catastrophic collision" that killed a motorist and a horse.
Disqualified driver Helmuts Punovskis denies causing death by dangerous driving by taking part in a high-speed race with his friend Armands Ozolins.
Punovskis, 31, told the jury that on the day of the crash he had been a backseat passenger in his car, which was being driven by a friend Liga Jaskova. Jaskova initially admitted she was driving the car, but later told police she was pressured into saying so.
Latvian Punovskis, of Turreff Avenue in Donnington, pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and a count of serious injury by dangerous driving.
Witnesses saw a Volkswagen Passat, owned by Punovskis, and a Fiat, being driven by Mr Ozolins, racing and tailgating on the day of the tragedy in September 2012, the trial heard.
Mr Ozolins lost control at a bend on Stump Lane, near Shifnal. The 26-year-old, of Great Chatwell near Newport, died in hospital the next day. Horse rider Wendy Garrett was seriously injured.
Prosecutor Mr Hugh O'Brien Quinn said had the two men not been driving Mr Ozolins would still be alive and Mrs Garrett's life would not have been "devastated".
Mr Michael Grey, for Punovskis, said there was doubt over the question of who was driving.
Judge Jonathan Gosling described the accident as a "catastrophic collision".
