Driver found guilty of death by careless driving in Wolverhampton road tragedy

Matthew Campbell, aged 27, of Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans, was driving his black Mazda 2 car in the city centre when he struck Dr Nicholas Musgrove.

The collision happened at 6am on December 20 2012 while Campbell was heading east on the ring road towards the junction with A449 Stafford Street.

Dr Musgrove, who worked at the University of Wolverhampton, was on his way to work at the time of the crash.

He had crossed the road, one of the busiest in the city, without activating the pedestrian lights or waiting for the traffic signals to turn to red. The victim crossed the busy road at the same time as the defendant was approaching the junction.

The defendant failed to see the pedestrian moving into his path until it was too late to take evasive action and hit Dr Musgrove, who was from Walsall.

Emergency services were called and Dr Musgrove victim was taken to New Cross Hospital but he could not be saved.

Police investigations found Campbell's car had windows tinted beyond the legal limit. There were also eight air fresheners and a soft toy hanging from the driver's rear view mirror, which the prosecution said affected his view.

A jury of eight men and four women at Wolverhampton Crown Court took three hours and one minute to find Campbell guilty.

He gave no reaction when the verdict was read out but had to be helped to his seat by a custody officer when addressed by Judge Nicholas Webb.

Speaking after the case Martin Lindop, Sector Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "This prosecution should be a warning to all drivers that they have a duty of care to other road users at all times.

"It would also appear that Mr Campbell may have restricted his view by having illegally tinted windows and items hanging from the rear view mirror, which may have contributed to this tragic collision.

"The defendant failed to see Dr Musgrove crossing the road. When he eventually spotted him, he tried to carry out an evasive manoeuvre, but it was too little too late and his car struck the victim.

"Our thoughts are today with the family and friends of Dr Musgrove."

Campbell will be sentenced at a later date.