A 34-year-old woman charged with causing the death of Craig Astwood by dangerous driving "blatantly'' cut a corner, an officer has charged.

Adelle Laura Roberts, of Somerset Road, Sandys Parish is on trial in Supreme Court for causing Astwood's death.

Mr. Astwood's Suzuki motorcycle and Roberts' light van collided at the junction of South and Horseshoe roads in Southampton shortly before midday on September 10, 1996.

Yesterday, the seven-man, five-man jury and court officials spent 20 minutes visiting the scene of the accident.

Investigator and officer in charge Sgt. Phillip Lewis recalled details of the 1996 scene.

He said upon his arrival Roberts' van was almost in the centre of the Horseshoe Road entrance. Mr. Astwood's motorcycle was facing west in the east bound lane.

The van appeared to have been in good working condition before the accident.

And a deep indentation in the centre of South Road indicated the point of impact, Sgt. Lewis testified.

He also said the final position of Roberts' van indicated she had "cut the corner'' when entering Horseshoe Road.

"When a person normally makes a right turn into a junction, the correct procedure is to come up to the centre line,'' he explained.

"No part of the vehicle should cross the line.'' And Sgt. Lewis claimed the position of Roberts' van indicated a "blatant'' line crossing.

"(The motorcycle) was travelling east on South Road on the correct side,'' he said.

"(The van) was travelling west and while making a turn into Horseshoe Road cut across the path of the cycle.

"When the collision occurred they were approximately in the centre of the east bound road.'' Sgt. Lewis told Crown counsel Charlene Scott there was no evidence either of the two vehicles had tried to slow down.

But under cross-examination by defence lawyer Mark Diel, Sgt. Lewis admitted he had been unable to accurately determine the speed of the two vehicles.

"The van was found in first gear, these vans don't travel fast in first gear do they?'' Mr. Diel asked.

Mr. Astwood's motorcycle was found in third gear.

Mr. Diel also suggested extensive damage suffered by both vehicles, and debris found as far away as 50 feet, indicated a high force of impact.

"In all likelihood, the motorcycle was travelling at high speed,'' said Mr.

Diel.

"Yes, I would have to say that it was at a fairly high speed, perhaps 30 to 40 miles an hour,'' Sgt. Lewis agreed.

Mr. Diel also questioned whether or not the indentation in the centre of the road truly represented the collision point.

He said the location of the van's shattered windscreen, some 12 to 14 feet away, implied a different location.

An American visitor from Connecticut, Ralph DePalma, also testified yesterday.

Mr. DePalma, who was visiting the Island in 1996 with his family, was standing at a bus shelter some 50 to 60 feet away from the accident.

He said he did not see either of the vehicles before their impact, but that Mr. Astwood tried to avoid the van.

"When the motorcycle hit, I saw his head come toward me,'' he recalled. "I saw his neck twist and the van continued into the side street.

"When the van pulled across, the only thing I was interested in was to help the person on the ground.'' Mr. DePalma has worked in a US fire department for 35 years and has received extensive paramedic training.

"I tried to stop the bleeding,'' he said. "He had a pulse for about four or five seconds.

"But I couldn't bring him back. Eventually his eyes rolled back and I closed his eyes. "There was nothing I could do.'' The trial continues today before Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller.