Driver jailed after killing Norfolk woman and three dogs in London crash

41 year old Olivia Riley was fatally injured after being hit by a car in Chelsea last year

41 year old Olivia Riley and her dogs
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 28th Jul 2023

A driver who mowed down and killed a Norfolk woman and her three dogs in Chelsea last May has been jailed.

Olivia Riley, 41, was walking the golden retrievers on Cheyne Walk in west London when she was run over by an Audi TT on Saturday May 14 2022.

She was waiting at a traffic island on a pedestrian crossing when she was hit by Laszlo Dancs, who has now been handed a sentence of six years and eight months behind bars at the Old Bailey.

Pizza restaurant worker Dancs allegedly drove at speeds of more than three times the 20mph limit before losing control of the car.

Officers and paramedics were called to the mansion-lined street at 6.21am.

Ms Riley, who lived in Norfolk but was originally from Suffolk, was found dead at the scene, while the dogs also died, police said.

Dancs, 28, had minor injuries and was arrested and taken into custody.

He pleaded guilty to causing Ms Riley's death by dangerous driving in May this year.

He also admitted to drink and drug-driving but denied failing to provide a sample of breath when required.

Jeremy Dein KC, defending, told the court Dancs always intended to admit responsibility for what happened.

He said Dancs worked as a team leader at a "well-known pizza restaurant" in north London.

Cheyne Walk stretches along the Thames embankment at Chelsea and has long drawn famous residents such as rock star Sir Mick Jagger.

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