A driver has denied that his speeding caused a crash that killed a cyclist.

Dominique Hechanova, 39, died in Watton when he was walking with his bike across the B1108 Brandon Road.

The Filipino, who lived in the town at Merton Road and worked as a butcher, suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit by a Peugeot 3008 driven by Lukasz Chochowski.

Dominique Hechanova died after being hit while walking with his bike across the B1108Dominique Hechanova died after being hit while walking with his bike across the B1108 (Image: GoFundMe)

He died at the scene following the collision at 5.30am on March 1, 2023.

READ MORE: Man arrested after cyclist dies in crash in Watton

Chochowski, 30, of Station Street in Swaffham, pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving during an appearance at Norwich Magistrates’ Court. 

He did not enter pleas to two further charges of speeding and driving without due care and attention.

Mr Hechanova had been on his way to work at a food processing company when he dismounted his bike and crossed the road, the court was told. 

He had not been wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing and had been re-joining the road when the collision occurred.  

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said it was raining at the time and that the surface on the 30mph main road through Watton was wet. 

 Lukasz Chochowski is also accused of speeding following fatal crash in March 2023Lukasz Chochowski is also accused of speeding following the fatal crash in March 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

It was alleged that Chochowski had been driving at between 39 and 42mph which the prosecution claims was “inappropriate for the conditions”, he added. 

READ MORE: Dominique Hechanova inquest adjourned to await decision

His defence solicitor David Foulkes said a trial was likely to centre on expert analysis on the alleged speed and the cyclist’s position in the road. 

Deputy District Judge Claire Furlong declined jurisdiction saying any potential sentence could exceed the maximum magistrates sentencing powers of 12 months imprisonment. 

Chochowski was given unconditional bail until a hearing at Norwich Crown Court on December 23. 

A Go Fund Me campaign launched after Mr Hechanova’s death by the Filipino community in Watton raised more than £5,800 towards the costs of his body being returned to the Philippines, where his extended family still live.