Harwich woman found guilty of causing death of former nurse by dangerous driving
She'll be sentenced next month
A Harwich woman has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal crash in Great Oakley.
21-year-old Hivda Altuntop has been convicted of causing the death of former nurse Penelope Ann Coggan by dangerous driving after the crash in November last year.
Following a seven-day trial, Altuntop was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 23 November).
She was also found guilty of another eight offences relating to two incidents that occurred on 18th March and 24th April, both last year.
The twenty-one-year-old was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra when she collided with pedestrian Penelope, 73, in Harwich Road on 24th April last year.
Mrs Coggan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Altuntop of High Street, Harwich, failed to stop at the scene of the collision, but was detained after she crashed the car further along Harwich Road.
At the time of her arrest, she was found to be in possession of cannabis and a small kitchen knife.
A police investigation found that she did not own the car that she was driving and had driven it without the owner’s consent. It also discovered that shortly before the fatal collision, she'd consumed cannabis.
Altuntop was charged in connection with Mrs Coggan’s death and was remanded in custody but denied all charges when she appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday 26th April.
Alongside the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, she also faced charges of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis.
Speaking for the first time after the trial, Penelope’s husband, Richard, paid tribute to his wife saying she was “a delightful person and as a mother, always happy, selfless, engaging and thoughtful, supportive and practical...
“Penny was an avid horse lover and book reader - a very special lady, so missed by us all and our friends.”
Hivda Altuntop was also on trial having taken the same car without the owner’s consent the previous month (18th March 2021).
At the same hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday, she was also found guilty of aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, assault on an emergency worker (police officer) and possession of a bladed article.
Serious Collision Investigation Officer, DC Edward Gosling, said: “My thoughts are with Penelope’s family and friends today as this conviction brings the trial to a close.
“Hivda Altuntop drove dangerously, having no regard for the safety of others, her behaviour and poor decisions led to a fatal collision which resulted in the tragic loss of life.”
Sentencing will take place at the same court on Friday 16th December.