In a heart-wrenching incident, a driver has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a catastrophic collision at a bus stop, which resulted in the tragic death of 14-year-old Logan Finch and serious injuries to his aunt.

On December 21, 2021, Logan Finch was waiting for the 321 bus on Eltham Road, accompanied by his aunt and cousins. The tranquillity of that moment was shattered when a truck, driven by 42-year-old Frederick Mansfield, veered onto the pavement, crashing into the bus stop where Logan and his family were waiting.

Logan was pinned between the truck and the bus stop, and despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His aunt, Rachel Poole, suffered severe injuries in the incident.

Mansfield, who escaped unscathed from the crash, was subsequently charged with causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving. After a week-long trial at Woolwich Crown Court, a jury delivered a guilty verdict on both charges.

Mansfield’s sentencing is scheduled for next month, and he has been banned from driving until then.

During the trial, it was revealed that Mansfield initially told the police that he had pressed the wrong pedal, but later he claimed to have no memory of the incident, speculating that he might have blacked out or fallen asleep. Mansfield has since been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts sleep due to breathing disturbances, leading to daytime fatigue. He attributed the crash to this condition.

Prosecutor Rupert Kent informed the court that Logan was en route to a barber in Eltham with his aunt and two cousins. At 3:33 pm, tragedy struck as they waited at the bus stop near the junction with Kidbrooke Park Road.

Without warning, Mansfield’s vehicle approached the group at considerable speed, initially colliding with a lamppost and subsequently smashing into the bus stop, causing damage and catastrophic injuries to Logan and Ms Poole.

CCTV footage captured the harrowing incident, which was presented as evidence during the trial.

The trial revealed contradictions in Mansfield’s statements. While he initially admitted fault, claiming to have pressed the wrong pedal, later statements suggested he may have blacked out or fallen asleep. The prosecution argued that even if the crash was due to Mansfield falling asleep, he would have been aware of feeling tired beforehand and should have stopped driving.

Additional evidence from the CCTV footage showed brake lights flashing on the trailer attached to Mansfield’s truck just before the collision. Subsequently, white lights indicated that the vehicle was in reverse, and Mansfield had accurately described the positions of Logan and Ms Poole before the crash, implying that he was awake and aware.

Prosecutor Kent concluded by stating that Mansfield’s actions fell significantly below the standard of a competent driver.

Frederick Mansfield, residing in Imperial Gardens, Hythe, has been granted bail until his sentencing.