Driver admits he blamed victim after fatal Wandsworth Bridge crash

A man who drove into an Ecuadorian politician's daughter on Wandsworth Bridge has admitted he “wrongfully” tried to blame the victim.

Octavian Cadar was driving at twice the 20mph speed limit in his Mercedes when he struck Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida on the west London road in March 2022.

Ms Sagnay, known as Charlotte, was killed from the impact and was seen to somersault in the air and then land badly on a railing. She died from a head injury 13 minutes later.

The 27-year-old had been holding hands with her fiancee Michael Williams before the incident.

Cadar, 39, of Bexley , south-east London, has appeared before the Old Bailey this week on trial for death by dangerous driving.

He has already admitted the lesser charge of death by careless driving.

Cadar had initially said Mr Williams had been “messing around” with his fiancee by pulling her in and out of the road.

He told the court on Friday: "I had tried to blame them but I was wrong.

"I was in shock during the interview. I said Mr Williams stopped and waved his hands about."

Mr Williams had told the court that they were holding hands while crossing the road when they heard a “loud revving”.

He said they were shocked and dispersed in different directions before the impact.

Cadar was driving at 48mph and had been doing as much as 55mph in the 20mph zone.

He has acknowledged he was speeding but told the court he was trying to avoid the pair.

The trial continues.

Ms Sagnay’s father is Ecuadorian politician Carlos Sagnay de la Bastida.