Motorist not to blame for pensioner's death
A lorry driver who ran over and killed a Black Country pensioner has been told by a coroner that he was not to blame.
Dilwyn Roberts appeared at the inquest on 82-year-old Donald Moss, from Tipton, at Smethwick Council House yesterday. It follows an accident at the junction with Dudley Port and Sedgley Road East in March this year.
Mr Moss was knocked down by Mr Roberts' cement lorry as he crossed the road near to his home.
Black Country deputy coroner Dr Andy Thompson recorded a verdict of accidental death.
He told Mr Roberts: "There is no evidence at all that this was anything other than an accident."
Witnesses told how they had watched Mr Moss walking along the pavement and start crossing the road in front of the lorry towards his home in Groveland Road. It was around 8.15am during peak traffic.
Driver Paul Barlett said: "He was tight up against the front of the lorry. Then the lights changed.
"He was banging on the front of the cab but he didn't see him," he added.
Another witness, motorist Akwal Thandi, said: "I remember an elderly man crossing road. I could see from my side of the road that the driver couldn't see him. I remember thinking 'I hope he makes it across'.
"I remember his arm going up to hit the cab but then he went underneath."
Mr Roberts, of Mold, North Wales, said he had driven from north Wales that morning and had worked as a driver for 18 years.
"I had had a good night's sleep," he said. "I was alert. I checked every mirror before I pulled off. As I got across the road a man had his hand out, I stopped and he told me what happened."
Deputy coroner Dr Thompson said: "Mr Roberts is quite clearly an experienced and senior driver with years of experience. He had no direct vision of Mr Moss as he crossed the road."
