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Family of Cambridge student killed on bike hit out at police
Rashid Razaq, Evening Standard10.06.08
The parents of a student killed while cycling are set to launch a private legal battle after claiming police failed to investigate his death properly.
Vinnie Carta, 21, from Enfield, a third-year physics student at Cambridge University, was in collision with a car near his student digs as he rode to his part-time job as a children's maths tutor last November.
He suffered massive head injuries, even though he was wearing a helmet, and died in hospital the following day, with his parents at his bedside.
No charges were brought against the driver, who was found to have been doing 48mph inside a 60mph zone, and an inquest recorded a narrative verdict that Vinnie's death was an accident.
But his parents, John, 51, and Anthea, 49, believe police and prosecutors accepted the driver's account of events without carrying out a thorough investigation or appealing widely enough for witnesses.
They have employed a crash investigator to re-examine what happened and if he finds they could have a case are considering bringing a private prosecution against the driver.
Mr Carta, a bus safety examiner, said: "Vinnie was an experienced cyclist. He was on his new bike, wearing a helmet and reflective clothing. He was on a well-lit route, which he took all the time. He knew what he was doing.
"The driver has changed his story several times. We think he was in a rush to get home, thinking he was coming up to a 60mph road, and just didn't pay attention to the road. Vinnie was flipped in the air and landed on the car.
"We're not looking for revenge. We're not vindictive. We just want the law to be applied. The police should have put up witness appeal boards but they said that could cause more accidents."
Mrs Carta, a former teacher, called for more cycle paths as well as better signage and lighting to protect cyclists.
She said: "We don't want any other family to go through what we've had to. We're still in shock and the stress of the case has added to the strain."
The couple have two other children - Cheryl, 26 and Steven 22. Vinnie was a keen sportsman and a member of Sidney Sussex college's rowing team.
He was also treasurer of the university's physics society, finance manager for the student union and worked behind the union bar. He was on course to achieve a first and had applied to Imperial College London for a masters in media production. Mrs Carta said he was "outgoing and popular", adding: "Vinnie had just been to see us at home the weekend before it happened. He went ice skating with his brother, sister and niece. He was looking forward to finishing at Cambridge and coming back to London to start his masters.
"He loved outdoor sports and had a big circle of friends. He went to Cambridge as a small fish in a big pond, a normal boy from a comprehensive, but his personality shone through. There were more than 500 people at his funeral. All his university friends and the chaplain at his college have really helped support us through this difficult time."
The Cartas have appealed for any witnesses to the crash, which happened in Cambridge Road, Fulbourn, near Cambridge, on Monday 4 November, to come forward. A Cambridgeshire Constbulary spokeswoman said: "A thorough investigation took place and a file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. "The CPS decided there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution."
Reader views (3)
It is impossible for a driver to collide with a cyclist if both are abiding by the HC. there is no helmet on earth that will prevent injury when hit by a car travelling at 48mph. Cyclists in London are well used to the police ignoring accidents involving cyclists, an unspoken rule seems to be that unless the cyclist is in a wheelchair or a coffin no action is taken. Well done to the parents for pursuing this, it highlights the inaction of the police in handling cycling "accidents".
- Dr Susan Porter, London
"He suffered massive head injuries, even though he was wearing a helmet"
He was hit by a car at 48 mph, how much protection does this journalist think a piece of polystyrene foam gives you! Cycle helmets are designed to protect you if you fall off at low speed.
- Economic Migrant, Oxford
"He suffered massive head injuries, even though he was wearing a helmet"
A cycle helmet is simply not designed to protect a cyclist hit by a car, even if the car is travelling slowly. In a collision at 48mph, a helmet will increase the chances of major head injury.
Could you please stop supporting the myth of cycle helmets.
- Martin, Bristol
