A student who hit a pedestrian so hard with his sports car that the man was thrown 150 feet has been spared jail after the court was told he was suffering "survivor's guilt".

Karol Michta, 22, had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he hit 53-year-old builder Henrik Luszcz travelling at 60pmh on a 40mph road.

Michta's sentencing was adjourned for five months so that he could complete his Medical Engineering degree from Queen Mary's University and has now avoided direct jail time.

The student is a freerunner and had previously performed outside and inside Downing Street in a celebration of Parkour's official recognition as a sport in the UK.

A psychiatrist concluded he was suffering from PTSD and moderate depression with suicidal thoughts, while Michta's barrister Simon Baker said it was a case of "survivor's guilt".

The crash, in which the victim was catapulted in to the air "to the height of a double decker bus" happened on the A4, Great West Road in Isleworth on May 17, 2015.

Mr Luszcz had exited a bus and was attempting to cross the dual carriageway but suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit by the Ealing student's Mazda MX-5.

Michta, of Conway Crescent, Perivale had swerved into the middle lane from the fast lane around 400m before the collision and was recorded travelling at 61mph.

Prosecutor Joel Smith said: "Mr Luszcz had consumed alcohol and was around twice the legal drive limit and was also talking in his mobile phone.

"Having crossed to the central reservation, he was struck by the defendant's car and was thrown to the height of 'a double decker bus' according to one witness, and his body was thrown 45m from the point of collision.'

The Old Bailey heard the student, who has planned to go on to study for a Masters degree, was trying to keep up with a black Mercedes, with one witness saying at the time "look how fast he's driving, idiot".

Judge Anthony Morris QC previously indicated Michta would have gone to prison but decided to suspend the 12 month jail term because of his age, his psychiatric problems and the circumstances of the accident.

"Unfortunately there was no pedestrian crossing or traffic lights at that point" he said.

"Mr Luszcz cannot be criticised for doing so but this was not a safe place to cross such a major road and some sort of steps ought to be taken to at least move the bus stop nearer the traffic lights.

"Mr Luszcz was on his mobile phone at it appears he failed to pay sufficient attention to the approach of the Mazda before stepping off the central reservation.

"It appears Mr Michta did not see Mr Luszcz until just before the point of impact.

"If he had been travelling within the speed limit he would have been able to break and take evasive action earlier.

"Although he was not racing the Mercedes he was trying to keep up with it and his speed was described by witnesses as way too fast."

Michta received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, a 20 days rehabilitation activity and pay a £520 fine towards prosecution costs within 28 days.

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