Bolton man nearly 20mph over speed limit before fatal crash

A BOLTON man has been accused of causing the death of a 76-year-old man in Oldham by driving carelessly.

Naveed Patel is accused of being responsible for the death of David Eyre when their vehicles collided on Broadway at the junction with Hilbre Avenue, Royton, in February 2019.

Prosecutor Robert Hall told Minshull Street Crown Court: “David Eyre, 76, was driving his white Mazda Saloon on Hilbre Avenue in Royton.

“At the end of Hilbre Avenue there is a T-junction across, which passes the A663, at which Mr Eyre wished to turn right and across the lane of traffic, which approached from his right.

“At that time Naveed Patel, then aged 29, was approaching on the A663 from Mr Eyre’s right-hand side. Mr Patel was driving a black range Rover.”

The road in question has a 40 miles per hour limit, the court heard.

Mr Hall said data obtained from Patel’s car showed five seconds before the collision he was driving at 59mph and two seconds before he was going at 54mph.

Mr Hall added: “Mr Eyre received a head injury from the impact which resulted in his death two days later.

“The crown’s case is excessive speed and failure to access the risks inherent at that stretch of road amounted to careless driving, contributing to the death of Mr Eyre. The defence case is he was driving with care and attention and Mr Eyre’s actions contributed to the collision.”

He told the court Patel was travelling at 48mph, which was “still eight miles per hour above the speed limit" when the collision occurred.

Mr Hall said Mr Eyre suffered “brain trauma” which along with “underlying health conditions” then made for a “poor prognosis.”

Joyce Eyre, the wife of the deceased, confirmed her husband had several health issues including suffering from a stroke in 1998 and being diagnosed with endocarditis in in 2004.

Benjamin Myres QC, for Patel, referred to a medical note taken at the scene.

It said: “The male from the Mazda will be taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary. He was on the road to the doctor, possible medical episode.”

But Mrs Eyre said her husband, who had going for a check-up, was fine when he left the house.

Patel, now 32, of Waterslea Drive, denies the charge. The trial continues.

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