Driver seen behind the wheel before fatal Walsall crash, court hears
A driver who clams he has been wrongfully accused of knocking over and killing a pensioner was spotted behind the wheel, a court heard.
Przemyslaw Krzysiak told jurors he saw defendant Terry Poole driving a Mercedes-Benz convertible moments before it crashed into 80-year-old pedestrian Salvatore Bongiovi.
Poole denies he was driving the vehicle at the time of the fatal Walsall accident and instead claims girlfriend Amanda Brown, who has since died, is to blame.
Giving evidence at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Mr Krzysiak said he spotted Poole with Ms Brown at Ablewell Street's petrol station, where he works.
Ms Brown filled the vehicle before getting back into the passenger seat, with Poole immediately driving off without paying for the fuel, the court was told.
Mr Krzysiak told jurors he decided to follow the pair after they fled, pursuing the vehicle around the town and as it drove into a car park on April 19.
He recalled trying to unsuccessfully 'block' the Mercedes-Benz in the car park and noticed the driver was a man as the vehicle was manoeuvred away.
Standing during his time in the witness box, Mr Krzysiak said he continued to follow the pair but later lost sight of them as they turned into congested Lichfield Road.
During cross-examination, defence barrister Mr Delroy Henry put it to Mr Krzysiak that Poole and Ms Brown switched positions while they were in the car park.
The barrister went on to say: "The person driving the vehicle when it left the car park was in fact the lady not the man. Isn't that true?"
Mr Krzysiak replied: "No."
Mr Henry continued: "Is it possible that your recollection is mistaken about that?"
Mr Krzysiak responded: "No."
During the trial, jurors were told Mr Bongiovi was crossing Lichfield Road with his shopping trolley, getting halfway across the carriageway as one side of the street was clear.
But as the grandfather continued crossing, the Mercedes-Benz travelling at 'high-speed' crashed into him and he died two days later, the court heard.
Poole, of Meadowsweet Way, Blakenall, Walsall, previously admitted making off without payment but denies causing death by dangerous driving and a further count of dangerous driving.
The trial continues.
