Driver struck cyclist and then he drove away

Jan Trnik, Silverwood Green, Lurgan, was fined £100, with a £15 offender’s levy, for driving without due care and attention on March 20 this year.

He was also fined £100, with six penalty points, for failing to stop, £75 for failing to report an accident and £100 for failing to remain at the scene.

The court heard police received a report of a minor injury hit and run accident in Edward Street, Lurgan, at 7.15am.

A cyclist had been struck on the elbow by the defendant’s vehicle. Trnik had attempted to overtake but there was a traffic island in front of him so when he pulled in he hit the cyclist.

The cyclist did not fall over but complained of pain to his arm and shoulder.

The defendant drove on and did not stop even though the cyclist approached him when he stopped at traffic lights.

A solicitor for the defendant said Trnik was on his way to work and had commenced an overtaking manoeuvre when he realised there was a traffic island in the middle of the road.

He added that the defendant stopped at traffic lights and was approached by the cyclist who was irate. Trnik did not understand what was being said, only a curse word, and was worried there would be a further incident.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said the concern in this case was that the defendant clearly knew he had struck the cyclist but failed to stop and keep the vehicle at the scene.