A MAN charged with causing the death of a cyclist admitted “he should have slowed down” moments before the collision.

Viral Parekh, who admitted causing death by careless driving but denied causing death by dangerous driving, told Southampton Crown Court that although he “did not and could not see” cyclist Kieran Dix he could have reduced his speed as he approached a ‘Give Way’ sign in the New Forest.

Mr Dix was cycling along Beaulieu Road at around midday on December 2 when he collided with Parekh’s Vauxhall Zafira which drove across the junction with Dibden Bottom.

Following the collision, Mr Dix went into a coma and died on February 7.

During his cross examination, Parekh, 23, of Deacon Road, Southampton told the court that moments before the crash he had “checked both sides and straight ahead” as he approached the crossroads.

Parekh said heard “a knock” which he thought was empty boxes falling in his car. Then he “saw this guy on the floor”.

“I ran to him and the first thing I did was give him my coat and check to see if he was bleeding.”

Parekh added: “I should have stopped at the junction but I thought the road was clear as I could not see any other vehicles around.”

Prosecutor Richard Tutt told the court that before the incident Parekh, who has admitted causing death by careless driving, would have seen numerous ‘Give Way’ signs along Dibden Bottom as it approached the junction.

The court heard that Parekh told police on the day of the crash that he had stopped at the junction. However, in an interview after Mr Dix’s death, he admitted he crossed the road without stopping.

Mr Tutt accused Parekh of “deliberately lying to the police” in the first interview.

Mitigating, Richard Onslow, told the court that since 2007 there had been 22 incidents at the junction. In March signage was changed from ‘Give Way’ to ‘Stop’.

The trial continues.