Free-runner faces prison for death crash in speeding car

Guilty plea: Karol Michta hit pedestrian while doing 60mph in a 40mph zone
Central News
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A free-runner who once performed outside 10 Downing Street is facing jail for killing a pedestrian in his speeding Mazda sports car.

Karol Michta, 22, catapulted 53-year-old Henrik Luszcz through the air “to the height of a double-decker bus” as he sped along the A4 in Isleworth on May 17 last year.

He was doing at least 60mph in a 40mph limit and failed to brake at all before striking Mr Luszcz, the Old Bailey heard.

One witness remarked to his friend: “Look how fast he’s driving. Idiot”, as Michta raced past. He carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre shortly before the crash, forcing another car to swerve, then struck Mr Luszcz as he crossed the dual carriageway.

The court heard that the victim was thrown about 45 metres when struck by the Mazda MX-5, and died of catastrophic injuries at the scene.

Michta, who pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, was pictured at Downing Street in 2011 after free- running was officially recognised as a sport in the UK.

He is now studying for a mechanical engineering degree at Queen Mary University in east London, and has been having therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder following the crash.

In a statement, Mr Luszcz’s daughter said: “The driver destroyed my life. I’ve not been able to move on or do anything with this hanging over my family and myself. The circumstances are often in my mind and it makes me so unhappy.”

Simon Baker, defending, said Michta is “haunted by the fact that had he been driving more slowly, even if the accident couldn’t have been avoided, there is a real prospect Mr Luszcz could have survived and would be alive today.”

Judge Anthony Morris QC adjourned sentencing until Friday to find out whether Michta, of Perivale, would lose his university place if sent to prison. He was freed on bail until sentencing.

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