An unaccompanied learner driver who hit a cyclist in a low speed collision and then accelerated into her rather than braking is due to be sentenced by the courts next week in Dublin.
The driver - Paulina Galantkiewicz (34), Belmount Park, Raheny, Dublin - said when she hit the cyclist she then accidentally pressed on the accelerator because she panicked.
When she did so, she drove over the cyclist, Thames Aline Taveres, who was cycling home from work at the time. The court was told that Ms Taveres was seriously injured and now uses a wheelchair following the crash at the junction of Oak Road and Oak Drive in Clondalkin on June 1st, 2018.
The crash occurred at 3.25pm on the early summer afternoon and while it was raining. John Byrne BL, for Ms Galantkiewicz, told the court Ms Taveres was not wearing a helmet or hi-vis.
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Ms Galantkiewicz pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Taveres. She was convicted on the second day of her trial and will be sentenced on Friday week, October 29th.
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Judge Martin Nolan was told Ms Galantkiewicz was a learner driver who was driving home from a job interview unaccompanied. She said she was driving slowly and when she approached the T junction where the crash happened she checked both sides.
The court was also told she did not bring her car to a complete stop at the T junction 'stop' sign. Ms Taveres was cycling into the junction at the time on her way home from work, via a gym session.
Ms Galantkiewicz said she felt a bump in her car before accidentally accelerating when she intended to brake. The initial impact knocked Ms Taveres off her bike before the car then drove over her, causing serious injuries
Ms Galantkiewicz then tried to help Ms Taveres before waiting for gardai to arrive and passing a roadside breath test. Ms Taveres was taken from the crash scene by ambulance to hospital.
Ms Galantkiewicz offered to plead guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily injury. However, that plea was not accepted by the prosecution and she stood trial on the more serious charge of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.
