Hit-run driver finally admits causing death

GABOR HEGEDUS

A MAN who killed two girls in a hit-and-run on New Year's Eve has pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Gabor Hegedus, 38, of Oldham, pleaded guilty to causing the death of two young girls by careless driving, conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, driving without a licence, failing to stop after a collision and failing to report the collision.

Zaneta Krokova, 11, and her cousin Helena Kotlarova, 12, were struck by a blue Peugeot 807 driven by Hegedus on Ashton Road, Hathershaw, at around 7.15pm on New Year's Eve.

Helena died at the scene, Zaneta two days later in hospital.

The pair had just bought sweets and chocolates from an off-licence and were crossing Ashton Road near the Copster Hill Road junction when the accident happened.

Their deaths sparked an outcry of grief from the community as mourners turned up in force to pay their respects at their funeral, which saw roads closed while two white, horse-drawn carriages carried them to Oldham Crematorium, Hollinwood.

Hegedus, of no fixed address, had attempted to cover his tracks by trying to dispose of the vehicle and making a false report of its theft.

He eventually owned up to being behind the wheel and at an earlier hearing pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice, however he pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, he pleaded guilty to the alternative charge.

Responsibility

Milan Kroka, Zaneta's father, said: "It is a relief that the driver has pleaded guilty, ultimately taking responsibility for his actions, however nothing will ever bring back our daughter and our family is still struggling to come to terms with this devastating tragedy.

"Those young girls have been so cruelly taken away from us.

"The incident has had a huge impact on mine and the rest of the family's lives, and ultimately, today's guilty plea will not undo what's happened. Zaneta was so young and full of life, it is still hard to believe at times she is no longer with us."

Robert Kotlar, Helena's father, said: "The pain that I and Helena's mother, Sylva, endure will not diminish as a result of today's guilty plea by the man who took our daughter from us.

"While it is of course a relief that we will not have go through a trial as a result of the driver taking responsibility for his actions, we will still have to live every day without our beloved daughter because of what he did."

Richard Biggs, an associate at Irwin Mitchell and the expert road accident lawyer representing the families of Zaneta and Helena, said: "This is an extremely sad case in which two young, bright stars have sadly been taken away from their families too early.

"We see on a daily basis the impact that road accidents have on families and it is crucial that other drivers take note of this case and the consequences of dangerous driving and ensure they take more care on the roads to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future.

"The family is relieved by Mr Hegedus' decision to take responsibility for his actions and they ask that you please respect their privacy as they continue to try and rebuild their lives following their tragic loss."

Appearing alongside Hegedus was David Orsos, 18, who pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice.

At the same hearing an application to dismiss the charge of perverting the course of justice against Janos Kalayanos, 50, was heard and was due to be ruled on today.

Zoltan Peto, 49, also of Oldham, pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice at the same hearing and will go on trial on June 26.

Hegedus and Orsos will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial in June.