A MAN accused of killing two people after he drove a 4x4 which went out of control and crashed into two cars told gardaí he had swerved to avoid a dog and then ran home from the crash scene.
Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court heard the BMW X5 had landed on top of the second car in what was like “a scene from a stunt movie”.
John Woods (39), Upper Fathom Road, Killeavy, Co Armagh, has denied the manslaughter of Kevin O’Malley, at Dowdallshill, Newry Road, Dundalk, on February 5th, 2005.
He has also pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths and driving through three sets of red traffic lights.
The court heard a Garda patrol car had seen the 4x4 break a red light and had begun following it when the accident happened.
Mr Woods said he had seen the Garda car some 400 to 500 yards behind him. He said a small black cat or dog ran out in front of him and he had swung to his right hand side to avoid it.
The court heard the 4x4 had struck a lamp-post, swung around violently and collided into the wall of Dowdallshill graveyard. It then struck a Honda Civic car before it spun into the air and landed on the roof of a Hyundai Accent.
Olive Curran was driving herself and her husband home in their Hyundai. The 4x4 landed on top of her car killing her husband.
Mr Woods denies speeding and said he believed the lights were green.The trial continues before Judge Michael White and a jury.