Telford death case driver 'was demisting van windows'
A driver whose van hit a jogger on a country lane in Shropshire told police he had been demisting his vehicle as he was driving, a court has heard.
Mark Fisher, 48, of Horne Road, Donnington, Telford, denies causing the death by careless driving of Sergeant Steven Smith. Sergeant Smith lived in Donnington.
He died from his injuries days after the crash which happened at about 6am on July 11 last year near The Humbers off the A518.
Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday heard the wing mirror of the van clipped Sergeant Smith, who was knocked into a field.
Constable Emma Louise Tucker, who attended the accident, said it had been a very bright day with the sun low in the sky. She had had to drive with her sun visor down, she said.
When she spoke to Fisher she said that he told her he had not seen the runner.
She told the jury: "He told me his windscreen was misted up and he was trying to wipe it clear."
The court also heard from motorist Michael Stanworth, who had been travelling from the Lilleshall Hill direction when he saw the runner, with a dog, coming towards him on the opposite side of the road.
"He was running very close to the verge, tight into the side," he said. "He was wearing an army khaki coloured T-shirt, shorts and trainers.
"I was concerned because he seemed to blend into the background."
Mr Stanworth said he used to run and would have run towards the oncoming traffic and would have worn a high visibility vest.
Sergeant Smith was married to Hannah Wright and originally came from Great Ayton in Teesside.
He had served in the Coldstream Guards and Royal Military Police in Iraq, Bosnia, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
After the crash he never regained consciousness and died in hospital on July 19, 2011. The trial continues.
By Sue Austin
