10:00am Wednesday 9th May 2012
A YOUNG driver was “going too fast” when he struck and killed a 59-year-old Bicester motorcyclist, a court heard.
Jonathan Bridger, 20, appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, charged with causing the death of Christopher Mason by dangerous driving.
The incident happened on the B4100 north of Bicester, near Stoke Lyne, on May 30 last year.
Bridger was driving a Toyota Yaris northbound in a 50mph zone when he struck oncoming Mr Mason by a right hand bend, jurors were told.
Roger Coventry, prosecuting, said Bridger told police he spun after losing control and “the main cause was the wet road”.
Pc Paul Thomas, of Thames Valley Police’s roads policing department, said the blame lay “solely” with Bridger and the Yamaha rider, of Mulberry Drive, had little or no time to react.
Mr Coventry said: “The prosecution case is the defendant was going too fast.”
Forensic scientist Peter Jennings said Bridger was driving at about 50mph which “may not have been commensurate with his abilities”.
Bridger, of Shortlands Close in Helmdon, Northants, denies the charge.
David Bright, defending, said those who visited the scene were divided on the impact of rain on the road, which safety tests showed needed treatment before the crash.
The trial continues.
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