A MOTORCYCLIST is on trial after being charged with causing the death of a 76-year-old Reading woman. 

Lawrence Tozer, 26, of no fixed abode, is facing one count of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving while under the influence of cannabis at Reading Crown Court this week.

Brigid Ita Guidera was crossing the A329 Wokingham Road at Cemetery Junction in Reading just before 11am on May 23, 2020, when she was allegedly hit by Tozer’s blue and white Yamaha motorcycle. 

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She was taken to hospital for treatment but sadly died later on. A pathologist has described her injuries as ‘unsurvivable’.

A 12-strong jury was sworn in earlier today (February) for the trial which is expected to last one week.

Prosecutor Ian Hope said multiple eyewitnesses saw Tozer, who was 23 at the time, riding his motorcycle at high speeds on the 30mph road prior to the incident as well as overtaking a number of drivers.

“There are a high amount of witnesses here that said he was driving at a high speed and in an erratic manner,” said Mr Hope.

“[A couple] were surprised to be undertaken by a motorcycle using a bus lane…they were commenting to each other on the manner of its driving.”

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Mr Hope added that one witness admitted he was driving over the speed limit at about 37mph when Tozer allegedly overtook him.

“[The witness] entered the Cemetery Junction towards London Road and then saw something flying into the air.

“He then saw the motorcycle skidding sideways across the road surface. He stopped his BMW and went to help and heard the owner of the motorcycle shout, ‘You stupid f****** b****’.”

However, the prosecution added that one witness didn’t believe the ‘motorcyclist had done anything wrong’ and another added that they were ‘surprised’ Bridid had chosen to cross the road when she did.

Mr Hope said: “There is evidence [Tozer] entered the junction on a green light and that may suggest Bridid was not crossing the road on a designated pedestrian crossing.

“There as some evidence that she was. The defence may say that perhaps she should have seen or heard Mr Tozer’s motorcycle.

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“However, the question ultimately is going to concern the defendant’s riding of the motorcycle and whether he was riding it dangerously or carelessly at the relevant time and whether his driving was the cause of the incident regardless of whether Brigid herself was slightly responsible for the tragedy.”

The trial continues.