Lorry driver who killed Fulham cyclist escapes jail

A lorry driver who killed a cyclist in west London has been given a suspended prison sentence, with a judge telling him he had escaped jail "by the skin of your teeth".

Tristan Renshaw, 47, failed to see Zinovly Savyulak, 60, in his mirrors and hit him while turning left in a 44-tonne tipper truck on the afternoon of 15 December 2022.

Savyulak, who was Ukrainian, suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene in North End Road, Fulham.

Renshaw, from Staines, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to 18 months in custody, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months.

Judge Philip Katz KC said the month Renshaw had already spent on remand should send a "clear message to you of where you nearly ended up today".

The court heard he did not realise he had hit anyone until he was told and heard the cyclist screaming.

Renshaw blamed poor lighting and the victim's dark clothing but prosecutors said Savyulak would have been visible had proper checks been made. A jury convicted him of causing death by dangerous driving.

The judge accepted the father of two was remorseful, but said of his evidence: "I do not blame you for casting around for explanation for how this dreadful situation took place but it is unimpressive you did not face the truth.

"The fact is you simply did not see Mr Savyulak and that is not a defence. I am sure you made no final check in your mirror."

Katz paid tribute to Savyulak's widow for her "grace, dignity and composure", saying the impact on her had been "severe", not only because of her husband's death but because it had "imperilled her means of survival".

In a victim impact statement, she said the death had "completely changed" her life.

She said: "The defendant and his family are also facing major problems and are under a lot of stress right now. I have no right to judge anyone, because that's life and we never know what lies ahead. That's what the judicial system is for and it will decide everything."

The judge criticised the delay of more than three years in bringing the case to trial, saying it was neither "justified" nor "acceptable".

Renshaw had previous driving convictions dating back to 1997, including for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

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