Driver who blamed injured motorcyclist for Streatham crash banned

Patryk Werkowski, 43, appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (August 16) after he was found guilty of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.

The court heard that on July 21 last year the defendant was driving a truck on Streatham High Road when he turned across the path of an oncoming motorbike.

The crash left the motorcyclist with a jaw broken in two places, a cut to his left wrist which required six stitches and cuts to his lip, back, left hand and arm which also required stitches.

Werkowski, of Treves Close, Southgate, blamed the crash on the motorcyclist during a trial.

At his sentencing hearing he was represented by Aleksandra Kowalik.

Ms Kowalik told the court: “Just because he went into the trial doesn’t mean he is an arrogant person who doesn’t want to plead guilty at the first opportunity. In his mind he was observing the way, that’s what he remembers that day. That’s why he went to trial.

“If he had a better recollection of what happened, and it was just a few seconds, I’m sure he would have entered a guilty plea at the first occasion.”

Ms Kowalik added: “It was not a deliberate offence, it was just a lack of care. He was making a move at maybe 3 to 4 kilometres per hour. He just didn’t notice the motorbike driver who he should have given priority (to).”

Werkowski was given a community order and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was told to pay costs of £775 and a victim surcharge of £114.

Werkowski was disqualified from driving for 12 months.