A speeding driver who mowed down and killed a former Royal Navy officer while racing with a BMW was jailed for four years today.
John Mulligan, 33, accelerated to 52mph in seconds in his powerful Volkswagen Golf TSI-R on Creek Road, Greenwich, southeast London, on June 4 last year.
Paul Weidlich, 54, was out for a jog and was crossing the road when he saw Mulligan racing towards him in a 30mph zone.
John Mulligan, 33, was driving at 52mph seconds before he smashed into Paul Weidlich, right, while driving on Creek Road, Greenwich in southeast London on June 4 last year
Mr Weidlich, pictured, who worked for Transport for London, died after the collision
CCTV footage showed Mr Weidlich trying to run to the kerb, but Mulligan went in the same direction while trying to avoid him.
He was thrown into the air on impact before landing in the road in front of horrified pedestrians during the evening rush hour.
Wiedlich, who worked for TFL at the time, was pronounced dead at 8pm at King’s College Hospital, from multiple injuries.
Mulligan stopped at the scene, and initially told officers he was going between 25 and 30mph, when Mr Weidlich jumped out in front of him.
He admitted causing death by careless driving but was convicted of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving after a four day trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
Mulligan was convicted of speeding and given a one month ban just eight months earlier for driving at 90mph on the 50mph Sidcup bypass.
Judge Christopher Kinch said Mulligan was going at a ‘grossly excessive speed’ when he hit the victim.
‘Mr Weidlich was trained as an engineer and served as Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer,’ he said.
‘He was an active runner and cyclist, taking part in marathons, raising money for charities.
‘He was a respected local as a trusted friend and mentor.
‘On 4 June last year in the late afternoon he was out jogging by Creek Road.
Mulligan’s VW Golf was able to accelerate from 0-60 in around 5 seconds
Police are currently looking for a BMW, circled, they believe was racing Mulligan’s VW Golf
Mulligan was accused of racing his high-powered VW Golf against a BMW before the smash
‘He took a diagonal route across the road.
‘On the far side of Deptford Bridge and out of sight of Paul Weidlich you were driving away from Greenwich after a shopping expedition.
‘You pulled up at a set of traffic lights alongside a BMW that had been in front of you.
‘You knew that the area was a mix of commerical premises and residential properties.
‘You pulled off in front of the BMW with a view to taking the lead as it became a single lane.
‘Witnesses commented on your engine sounding as if you were racing.
“I’m satisfied you were determined to get in front of the BMW and you accelerated away hard.
‘There was speed here, you grossly excessive speed such that you were not taking into account that there were pedestrians.
‘This case can only be met with a custodial sentence, and it will be one of four years.’
Mulligan told tearful members of his family in court he loved them as he was led to the cells.
Members of Mr Weidlich’s family were also in the public gallery to see Mulligan jailed for four years.
Mulligan, of of Southerngate Way, New Cross, southeast London, admitted causing death by careless driving but was convicted of the more serious charge of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was also banned from driving for four years.
Detective Sergeant Richard Budd, from the Met’s roads and transport policing command, said: ‘Mulligan’s speeding and dangerous driving caused the death of a man who was simply crossing a road.
‘Throughout this investigation, Mulligan refused to accept that he was driving above the speed limit. Had this been the case, the outcome of his collision may have been different.
‘This case highlights the need for motorists to behave appropriately and respect that improper driving can have serious consequences.’