Careless driver sobs in dock as she admits causing biker’s death in Grantham crash

A “heartbroken” driver who had six seconds to spot an oncoming motorcyclist on a road near Grantham has admitted causing the biker’s death.

A court heard on Wednesday (February 2) Natalia Remizovsky could not fathom why she didn’t see Stewart Bell on his motorbike when she turned right, across his path, on the A607 at Belton.

Mr Bell, who was in his 50s and from Derbyshire, died at the scene near Belton Garden Centre.

Remizovsky, 46, was in tears as she pleaded guilty to her careless driving causing his death at about midday on April 4 last year.

Prosecutor Bethany Leigh told Lincoln Magistrates’ Court a police investigation calculated Mr Bell had been travelling at an average of 66mph.

Miss Leigh said: “There would have been around 6.18 to 6.89 seconds available for the defendant to notice the presence of the motorcycle in the southbound lane.

“The carriageway is long and straight and there were no obstructions.

“Mr Bell’s BMW motorbike had the front headlight illuminated and there is no reason whatsoever why the defendant didn’t see Mr Bell approaching.”

The investigation concluded the crash was due to Remizovsky’s “inattention”.

Miss Leigh told the bench up to 6.8 secs would not necessarily amount to a “momentary lapse in concentration or momentary inattention”.

Remizovsky told police in interview she could offer no reason why she hadn’t seen the motorbike or might have been distracted.

The defendant, of Littlegreen Road, Woodthorpe, near Nottingham, had no previous convictions.

Members of Mr Bell’s family were in court for the hearing.

Barrister Ian Bridge, mitigating, said the most important thing to say was how sorry his client was.

He added: “There’s not a morning goes by that she doesn’t wake up and realise she’s killed a man.

“She looks to her own family throughout the day and thinks about how they would manage without their father or without her and finds it very difficult to live with herself.

“She’s heartbroken and very sorry and hopes the family can accept her apology and the condolences that she offers.”

Mr Bridge said motorists “far too frequently” fail to see motorcyclists and there are a number of theories on why that is.

Detective Sergeant Emma Ward, from Lincolnshire Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “It’s impossible to reflect the loss of life with a conviction for careless driving.

“Mrs Remizivsky did not set out to harm anyone that day and has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.  She did not look properly and was distracted by the junction layout.  Her actions have led to the death of a 59-year-old man who was simply riding his motorbike home.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Stew today.”

A full investigation was completed by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit to determine the cause of the collision. The RTC was captured on a dash cam fitted to a witness’ vehicle. A reconstruction established the motorbike was in the sight of the driver for six to seven seconds and travelling at an average speed of 66 mph prior to the collision.

The case was adjourned to March 10 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Remizovsky, who has not driven since the crash, was given an interim driving disqualification and granted unconditional bail to the next hearing.

Read a family tribute to the victim here.