A MAN has admitted causing the death of a woman in a supermarket carpark by driving carelessly.

Ericson Dalire Andres, 41, of Parkstone Road, Poole, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving after a crash in the carpark of Asda in West Quay Road on September 18, 2020.

The defendant said the first thing he recalled was hearing the victim, Susan Stanford, 69, scream after she hit her head on the ground.

Prosecuting the case at a hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, Richard Oakley said: “The pedestrian had just left the store and was pushing a full supermarket trolly across the road which is the main linking road in the carpark.

“The defendant’s vehicle collided with her just before she reached the other side of the road.

“As a result of the injuries she received. She was taken to hospital and was initially conscious, transferred to Southampton General Hospital and died on September 26.”

Mr Oakley said witnesses recalled Andres driving slowly which was supported by the marks on the trolley and the vehicle.

He added: “The indication was there was no reaction from the defendant prior to the collision but he did stop as soon as he became aware of what he had done.

“He was interviewed and admitted that he had been driving the vehicle and said he had turned right from a side lane and he moved forward travelling slowly and in first gear.

“He said he was first aware of the victim when he heard her scream, she was by the drivers front corner.”

The court heard how Ms Stanford died as a result of an injury to the back of her head, caused by her falling and hitting the ground.

Mitigating, David Hurley said Andres was “extremely remorseful” and has “lived with the consequences”.

He said: “The way the accident happened as far as he can remember, he was visiting Asda prior to going to work as a chef.

“He approaches the give way, stops, looks right and could not see anybody, looks left and his memory is he is flashed out by a car.

“He turns and then the collision occurs. His mistake, which he accepts, he didn’t look to his right again, had he done that he would have seen Ms Stanford and taken the appropriate action.”

District Judge Stephen Nicholls adjourned the hearing for a pre-sentence report. Sentencing will take place at the same court on March 25 at 2pm.