Air freshener claim over Wolverhampton road tragedy
Eight air fresheners and a soft toy dangling from a car mirror may have obscured a driver's view before he knocked down and killed a university worker, a court heard.
A pair of glasses and a key ring were also among a bundle of items hanging inside Matthew Campbell's car when it struck Dr Nicholas Musgrove in Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Dr Musgrove, aged 64, was hit by the black Mazda 2 as he crossed the ring road at the junction with Stafford Street while on his way to work at 6.15am on December 20, 2012. The University of Wolverhampton worker, who lived in Walsall, later died at New Cross Hospital.
Campbell has gone on trial for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
Mr Nicholas Tatlow, prosecuting, told the court there were 'a number of factors that could have contributed' to the crash.
"From his rear view mirror the defendant had hanging no fewer than eight car air fresheners, a pair of glasses, a soft toy and a keyring.
"That bundle of objects from his rear view mirror would have formed a partial obstruction when he was looking ahead and to the left.
"Of course, ahead and to the left is where Dr Musgrove was to be found," he said.
Mr Tatlow said the prosecution believed Campbell aged 27, of Newhampton Road West, Wolverhampton, should have seen Dr Musgrove as he crossed the road, but said there were no suggestions that Campbell was speeding or crossing a red light.
The court heard from Peter Hateley, who also worked at the university, and was waiting to cross the road when Dr Musgrove was hit by the car. He said he was standing at the pedestrian refuge waiting to cross when he saw Dr Musgrove step into the road.
He said: "I never made it across because as I looked up Nick was crossing the road.
"He was possibly just leaving the first lane going into the second lane and was looking towards the oncoming traffic.
"The car went by and there was an impact.
"Then he went in the air, twisting and turning like a rag doll, and he came down with an almighty bump."
Mr Tatlow also read out a police interview with Campbell. In the interview, Campbell said: "By the time I had seen the pedestrian it was too late. I was in shock for 30 seconds and just sat there. Then I saw the glass and thought 'oh my gosh' and put my hazard lights on and called an ambulance."
He also said in the interview that he did not believe he had applied his brakes but had taken his foot off the accelerator.
The trial continues.
