Speeding driver late for work killed great-grandad as he crossed the road
A speeding driver who killed a great-grandfather as he crossed a Coventry road has been jailed.
Romans Lasmanis, who was late for work, was doing 45mph in a 30mph zone when he hit 73-year-old Leonard Steptoe in Sewall Highway, Wyken, in April last year.
Mr Steptoe suffered multiple injuries and was taken to hospital where he later died.
The shocking moment was caught on Lasmanis’ own dashcam and played to Warwick Crown Court as he was sentenced.
The 42-year-old, of St Austell Road, Wyken, had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for two years.
He was also banned from driving for four years.
Several members of Mr Steptoe’s family - including his children and grandchildren - were in court to see Lasmanis sent down.
Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC said: “This is a tragedy in every sense and no sentence that I can pass can be seen to be sufficient in a case like this.
“As you rounded that slight bend, [Mr Steptoe] stepped off the curb and began his travel across the road.
“Had you been travelling within the speed limit, then he would be with us today.”
