Chef’s widow challenges negligent driver
An award winning chef and proud father who died after being
flung from his bicycle has been honoured by his widow, who this
week launched legal action against the motorist responsible for his
death.
In 2008, Dariusz Banasiak was cycling to work when he stopped at
traffic lights controlling a junction in Streatham. As he
pulled away to go straight across the junction, a lorry driver
ploughed into Mr Banasiak, killing him instantly.
However, despite alleged negligence behind the wheel, the
vehicle's driver Ronald Herbs faced no criminal charges.
Now, Mr Banasiak's wife Anna is launching a legal battle on
behalf of her "wonderful husband", seeking compensation from Mr
Herbs and the company he worked for, Cemex UK Operations Ltd.
"(Dariusz's) death has turned our lives upside down," she added.
"I am not the same person and a part of me went with him."
According to Anna's solicitor, the HGV which struck Dariusz was
fitted with a number of close proximity mirrors designed to give
the driver a view of any cyclists close to the side or front of the
vehicle. In addition, sensors which triggered an audible
warning to the driver when there is a cyclist nearby were also on
the vehicle.
"The case for negligence is that the lorry driver should
and could have seen Mr Banasiak before turning left because he was
there to be seen," added her solicitor.