The driver killed a six-year-old boy on a bike because she “couldn’t concentrate,” the court hears

Jenefer Ebosele denies causing the death by dangerous driving after her Vauxhall Meriva struck and killed Kidus Wondwosen as he was riding his bike near his home in Manchester

A six-year-old boy has been killed while cycling after a woman who “didn’t concentrate” on the road ran him over, a court heard.

Kidus Wondwosen died about an hour after suffering “catastrophic” injuries, prosecutors told the Manchester Crown Court jury.

Jenefer Ebosele, 33, denies causing the death by dangerous driving when her Vauxhall Meriva collided with Kidus near his home in Hulme on a Sunday evening.

Ms Ebosele had driven along Stretford Road and Wilmott Road before turning right onto Chevril Close, where Kidus was riding his bicycle near the junction, the court heard.

CCTV footage showed Ms Ebosele crashing into the boy, with the collision causing Kidu’s “catastrophic” injuries and leaving his bike “crushed”.

Ms Ebosele stopped at the scene and Kidus’ mother also arrived quickly. A nurse who lives nearby heard the impact and ran to help.

He saw Kidus lying unconscious on the ground, Ms Ebosele and his mother were both “hysterical,” prosecutor Brian Berlyne said.

The boy was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead around 6.40pm on Sunday 9 August 2020.

Ms Ebosele, who passed a roadside eye test, was arrested.

She issued a prepared statement and denied that her driving fell below the standards of a competent and careful driver.

Ms Ebosele said she looked “as best she could” at Chevril Close but her view was “partially obstructed” by a perimeter fence and a windscreen pillar in her car. This was reported by the Manchester Evening News.

When she turned right, the road appeared to be clear, but the child then “appeared” from her left, she told police.

Ms Ebosele said she tried to swerve to the right to avoid a collision but was unsuccessful.

It was found that Ms Ebosele, of Keston Avenue, Blackley, had been driving under the 20 mph speed limit at the time.

However, a collision reconstruction expert for prosecutors claims that the collision “could have easily been avoided” if Ms Ebosele had reacted more quickly.

Mr Berlyne claimed Ms Ebosele “was unable to concentrate on the road” and “let her attention slip”.

The jury was told that since Ms Ebosele accepted being the driver and that the collision caused Kidus’ death, they must determine if she was driving without due care and attention.