The judge ruled that the pedestrian’s verbal abuse caused the cyclist’s fall, who was fatally hit by a car a few seconds later.
“Get off the damn sidewalk”. Auriol Grey, 49, has been found guilty of manslaughter following the death of Celia Ward, 77, for dropping her off a bicycle after yelling at her. In fact, the 70-year-old cyclist fell onto the street after the altercation and was fatally hit by a vehicle a few seconds later.
Auriol Gray was sentenced to three years in prison in England on Thursday, police said in a statement.
The exchange between the two women was caught on surveillance camera in the city of Huntingdon on October 20, 2020. We can see Auriol Gray walking on a sidewalk and hear him yell “Get off the sidewalk” and gesture to someone who arrives ahead of him.
The two women pass each other and Celia Ward falls unbalanced on her bike onto the street where the dramatic accident will take place.
The sidewalk is big enough for two, according to Richter
The prosecutor ruled that the words against the victim and the fact that the defendant had “made a hostile and aggressive gesture” toward her had caused the bike to fall and her subsequent death. It was also claimed that the driver of the vehicle that hit Celia Ward “didn’t get a chance to stop” or avoid her, the BBC reports.
Auriol Grey, who has cerebral palsy, told officers she was visually impaired and the bike was going “fast” in the middle of the pavement, which frightened her. Because of this, she “possibly unknowingly put out her hand” to protect herself from possible shock.
Auriol Gray’s attorney also stated that her client was described by some witnesses as “childish” and that she was living in specially adapted accommodation.
“There was no intent to cause harm,” she assured.
“A clear reminder to all road users”
The judge dismissed these arguments, stating that the sidewalk was 2.4 meters wide and that the pedestrian and cyclist could have been there together. He also ruled that the defendant did not have a mental disorder or learning disability, reports The Independent.
It was also noted that after the tragedy, Auriol Gray did not wait for help to arrive and shopped.
Mark Dollard of the local police said the defendant’s reaction to the presence of Celia Ward on the sidewalk was “completely disproportionate”. He hopes that the judgment announced will be “a clear reminder to all road users to be careful and considerate of each other.” Auriol Gray has decided to appeal this verdict.
Salomé Vincendon Journalist BFMTV