A driver accused of killing a 64-year-old woman when he was alleged to have been speeding will not stand trial until May next year, her family have heard.
Florin Firulescu pleaded not guilty at Warwick Crown Court to causing the death of Prakash Kaur in December last year by dangerous driving.
The charge follows a tragic collision in Foleshill Road, Coventry, at just after 4pm on December 14 when 64-year-old Mrs Kaur was struck by Firulescu’s blue Subaru.
Firulescu (50) of Brandon Lane, Coventry, was arrested at the scene, where Mrs Kaur died of her injuries.
With members of Mrs Kaur’s family sitting in the jury box, and Firulescu’s relatives in the public gallery, prosecutor Lisa Hancox said the trial, which is expected to last for four days, has been fixed for May 18 next year.
Judge Sylvia de Bertodano commented: “That is a very long way off.” And she apologised to Mrs Kaur’s family for the delay.
Beth Crocker, defending, said the issue in the case ‘is one of dangerousness.’
She explained that Firulescu did not accept he was speeding, and did not accept the calculation of his speed put forward by the prosecution.
“He says the car was suffering mechanical difficulties, and he was on his way to the garage, and he says it could not have reached that speed,” Miss Crocker added.
Adjourning the case for trial, with a further hearing to take place in November, Judge de Bertodano granted Firulescu bail.
She told him: “We are at an early stage. What you have to do before the time we next come back to court is to make sure you work with your lawyers to produce a full defence statement.”
