Lorry driver admits causing death of pregnant cyclist Charlotte Landi in Chelsea crash

Victim: Charlotte Landi was described as “incredibly warm and kind” by colleagues at the school she worked at
Victim: Charlotte Landi was described as “incredibly warm and kind” by colleagues at the school she worked at

A lorry driver has pleaded guilty to causing the death of a pregnant cyclist who was hit by his tipper truck.

Charlotte Landi died after a collision on Grosvenor Road, at the junction with Chelsea Bridge, while on her way to work on September 27 last year.

Jason Edmunds, 44, of Basildon, Essex, pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention when he appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Edmunds was driving from an address in Battersea to Slough along a regular route of his when Mrs Landi was struck and went under his truck, the court was told.

He had been turning left, did not signal and hit Mrs Landi who was on a cycle highway and wearing a hi-vis jacket, prosecutor Sophie Akister said.

She told the court: "Had the defendant indicated, it is the Crown's case that Mrs Landi would have seen or heard his indication to turn left."

She said Mrs Landi, who was believed to have been 12 weeks' pregnant, "would not have been aware that the tipper was intending to turn left".

She added: "The Crown's view is that when the vehicle turned left it collided with her."

Cyclists stage a
Cyclists stage a

Ms Akister said Mrs Landi could be spotted on CCTV approaching on the near side and was visible for 14 seconds before impact.

Ms Akister said: "The near side mirror was adjusted in such a way that it did not encompass the entire width of the cycle lane. Had it been, Mrs Landi would have been visible for three seconds."

A "pretty shaken" Edmunds, who is of previous good character, stopped after being waved by passers-by who saw the incident.

Schoolchildren were also watching what was happening, the court was told.

Emergency services attended and three off-duty doctors tried to help Mrs Landi.

Ms Akister told the court one witness said: "In my opinion it appeared to be a sudden left turn. I was in shock. The truck went over her body."

Ms Akister told the court a passer-by said "the contact did not seem particularly hard or the truck was travelling at a particular speed".

Edmunds was conditionally bailed to appear for sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on a date yet to be set.

District judge Michael Snow told him: "It is still a case which must go to the crown court for sentencing.

"Not only was there the tragic death of Mrs Landi in this case, but she was pregnant with a child, probably 12 weeks into the pregnancy."