A grieving widow whose husband was crushed to death by a speeding fire engine has launched a scathing attack on the cleared driver for a ‘complete lack of remorse’.
Mitchell Bailey, 58, was walking home when the Scania emergency vehicle, with the emblem ‘Drive To Arrive Alive’ emblazoned on its side, toppled over on top of him.
His devastated widow paid an emotional tribute to the ‘wonderful father and husband’ while blasting firefighter David Williams, 47, who was today cleared by a jury of causing the pedestrian’s death.
Mitchell Bailey (right), 58, was walking home when the Scania emergency vehicle, with the emblem ‘Drive To Arrive Alive’ emblazoned on its side, toppled over on top of him. Firefighter David Williams, 48, was acquitted of death by driving at St Albans Crown Court today
She said: ‘Our close, happy and contented family has been left broken, our lives are in turmoil and I’m worried we may never rebuild the fun, happy family bond Mitch and I had worked so hard for and were so very proud of.’
She added: ‘One of the things that has been hardest to deal with is the complete lack of remorse shown on the driver’s part – whilst we accept he is entitled to defend himself, we feel he has done so in a way that showed no compassion for our family and the terrible loss we have suffered.’
Mr Williams, 48, denied causing death by careless or dangerous driving and was acquitted at St Albans Crown Court.
His devastated widow Carol, 51, paid emotional tribute to the ‘wonderful father and husband’
The fit and healthy 58-year-old granddad was pinned to the ground by the 12-tonne vehicle and died instantly
Prosecutor Peter Shaw said he was responding to a 999 call in January 2017 when his vehicle hit a roundabout in Royston, Hertfordshire, too fast and toppled over.
The fit and healthy 58-year-old granddad was pinned to the ground by the 12-tonne vehicle and died instantly. He had been walking along the pavement from the supermarket and was just 75 metres from home.
The maximum speed for the fire engine to safely negotiate the roundabout was 21.6mph, however Williams’ vehicle was travelling between 37.5 and 39mph, the court heard.
He had been walking along the pavement from the supermarket and was just 75 metres from home
Mr Williams, a firefighter of 25 years who had never had an accident, said the speed did not surprise him and told the court: ‘You would tailor your speed to the conditions.’
After the acquittal by a jury of six men and six women, the victim’s widow said he worked hard his whole life so the family had ‘wanted for nothing’.
She said: ‘He was a wonderful father and husband: caring, thoughtful, generous and above all selfless. The strong bond out children had with their dad has so unfairly been taken away. Hiss loss is irreplaceable.
‘We will never get over losing him in such a horrific and tragic way. Our lives have been changed forever because of it.’
The electrician, described an ‘an avid Spurs fan’, also worked as a school governor and enjoyed golf, football and photography as hobbies. Mr and Mrs Bailey would also regularly attend shows with their four dogs – three Boxers and a Boston Terrier
The electrician, described an ‘an avid Spurs fan’, also worked as a school governor and enjoyed golf, football and photography as hobbies.
Mr and Mrs Bailey would also regularly attend shows with their four dogs – three Boxers and a Boston Terrier.
His daughter Alyce said: ‘He loved baking; his favourite was lemon drizzle cake. He loved having us all round for dinner.’