Speeding Driver Sentenced to 10 Years for Causing Death of Ecuadorian Politician's Daughter
A driver of a Mercedes, who was speeding, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing the death of Vanessa Sagnay de la Bastida, the daughter of an Ecuadorian politician. The tragic incident took place on March 16, 2022, near Wandsworth Bridge, as Vanessa and her fiancé, Michael Williams, were walking home hand in hand.
The driver, 39-year-old Octavian Cadar, was traveling at approximately 55mph—more than double the 20mph speed limit—when he drove towards the couple. The sudden approach forced Vanessa and Michael to separate in a desperate attempt to escape. Unfortunately, Vanessa, who was affectionately known as Charlotte, was struck before she could reach safety. The impact of the collision was so severe that it sent her somersaulting through the air, causing her to land on a railing and signpost.
Vanessa, who was just 27 years old, sustained a catastrophic head injury and tragically died at the scene.
Initially, Cadar, from Bexley in south-east London, blamed the couple for the accident, accusing them of “messing about in the road.” However, he later retracted his statement during the trial, admitting he was wrong. Despite his claims of attempting to avoid the couple, the court was told that the accident would have been avoided altogether if he had been driving within the legal speed limit of 30mph.
After a brief deliberation of 42 minutes, the jury found Cadar guilty of causing Vanessa’s death by dangerous driving. In addition to his prison sentence, Cadar was also disqualified from driving for 10 years and eight months. This wasn’t his first offense; in 2018, he was convicted of speeding, fined, and given six penalty points by Bromley Magistrates’ Court.
During the sentencing, Michael Williams, who was pursuing a PhD at University College London, expressed his deep grief and anger. “No one should have the power to kill just to drive fast,” he said. “Cadar valued speeding in a sports car more than our lives. Afterwards, he reacted with anger and blame. What was my worst nightmare is now my reality. At least in my nightmares, I am with Charlotte again.”
He described his life with Charlotte as “wonderful,” calling her the best friend he ever had. He spoke of her compassion and her unwavering commitment to fairness. “She had the magical ability to support people in just the way they needed,” he said, adding that her friendship made it easy for him to be his best self. Reflecting on her loss, he said, “She was half of me. I am less than a person without her.”
On the day of her death, the couple had been finalizing their wedding plans. “Charlotte never got to hear what I wrote in my wedding vows. Instead, I read them at her funeral,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Vanessa’s mother, Jeanne Sagnay de la Bastida, tearfully shared her pride in her daughter’s academic achievements. Vanessa had completed two Master’s degrees at St. Andrew’s University and was preparing to embark on a PhD. “My daughter was, is, and always will be my life, my everything, and my everyone,” she said. Overcome with grief, she described her loss as akin to an atomic bomb exploding, leaving her struggling to breathe in “toxic air.” “It is unnatural, unexpected, violent, undeserved, senseless, amoral. It has taken up residence in my body and consumed me,” she lamented.
Vanessa and Michael, who had known each other since their school days in Scotland, were returning from a gym trip when the tragedy occurred. Recalling the moment of the collision, Michael described how he realized they had been separated when they were no longer holding hands. “She fell on the front of the car. She went onto a street sign. There was a loud bang. I screamed and crossed the street. I tried to call the ambulance,” he recounted.
In the aftermath, Cadar emerged from his vehicle, shouting angrily at Michael. “He was saying, ‘Why did you freeze? Why didn’t you keep walking?'” Michael responded, “Because we were terrified.”
This heartbreaking incident has left a lasting impact on the lives of those who loved Vanessa, and it serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of reckless driving.
