Biker admits killing woman, 86, crossing road

A motorcyclist has pleaded guilty to knocking down and killing an 86-year-old woman as she crossed a road.

Radu Tomescu, 32, was travelling between 37mph [60 km/h] and 40mph in a 30mph limit in wet and possibly icy conditions when he hit Joan Brown, the Old Bailey heard.

Brown had pressed the button at a crossing on Streatham High Road, in south London, on 8 March, 2023, and was waiting for the lights to turn red.

Tomescu, from Camberley, Surrey, denied causing Brown's death by dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on Monday.

When the lights did not change, Brown started walking to the other side when there was a gap in traffic, the court heard.

Approaching the crossing, Tomescu swerved and came off his bike, which hit Brown, who died from her injuries.

The crash was caught on CCTV.

Judge Philip Katz KC ordered a pre-sentence report and granted Tomescu continued bail until his sentencing on 24 April.

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