Driver accused of killing teen motorcyclist says she’s a ‘good judge,’ court told

Southampton Crown Court heard Aaron Dennis, 17, could have been riding his motorbike at up to 63mph on Botley Road – which has a 40mph speed limit – when he collided with Christine Heynes.

She denies one charge of causing death by careless driving.

It was pitch black when the 61-year-old turned her blue VW Caddy into the road in Curdridge just after 6pm on January 14 last year.

Dennis was thrown off his black Yamaha motorcycle, which skidded 40 metres down the road, and suffered ‘extensive’ injuries to his head and brain, the court heard.

He died the following day at Southampton General Hospital.

Prosecuting, Barry McElduff said she failed to take extra care when turning from Chapel Lane.

He said: “The collision was caused, the prosecution say, by the driving of Ms Heynes.

“She either didn’t see Mr Dennis, or misjudged what it was coming towards her.

“Or she misjudged just how far away Mr Dennis’ bike was, misjudged how quickly he was travelling, and misjudged the amount of time available for her manoeuvre.

“Mr Dennis was estimated to be driving between 55 to 63mph, according to experts, which is well in excess of the speed limit.

“But that does not absolve Ms Heynes of her responsibility to drive with due care and attention.

“This is a sad and tragic case.”

READ MORE: Zebra crossing hit-and-run victim ‘over the moon’ as driver pleads guilty

In her interview with police on February 9 last year, Heynes told officers she saw one headlight to her right when she stopped at the junction.

She said: “There was no traffic to my left.

“To my right in the distance I saw one headlight.

“I judged I had enough time to make my manoeuvre.

“I like to think I am a good judge of when to turn in and out of a road. I saw the headlight because it was dark, and it was the only thing that was bright.

“Then when I was straightening up, I felt the bang to my car.”

She later added: “I saw the light, I turned, I didn’t see anything else.”

The court heard how Mr Dennis applied the brakes as he approached the car but then lost control of the vehicle which ‘capsized’.

READ NEXT: In the dock: Five cases heard at Southampton Magistrates’ Court

Mr McElduff said: “The prosecution say that due to the darkness of the scene and the ease of which someone of Miss Heynes’ position could mistake the true position of an oncoming motorcycle, it is incumbent on her to take extra care.

“We say she failed to do so.”

The trial continues.