Helen Lucas was killed when Thomas Molloy's car hit her on the M2

by Lynn Cox

A young motorist has admitted killing a woman on the M2 after she got out of her car following an accident.

Thomas Molloy, 22, pleaded guilty to causing the death of Helen Lucas by careless driving today at Medway Magistrates' Court.

Ms Lucas, 36, of Douglas Road, Maidstone, died on the coast-bound carriageway of the M2 close to the Strood junction after she was hit by Molloy's Ford Mondeo.

Despite admitting the offence, the case against Molloy, of Norah Lane, Higham, was adjourned this afternoon as the court ran out of time to hear all the evidence.

Ms Lucas was killed after getting out of her car following an earlier accident on the motorway at about 7.30pm on February 8.

Her Peugeot 207 had hit the central reservation near to the Strood junction.

Ms Lucas was standing by the central reservation when she was hit by Molloy's car.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and the cause of her death was recorded as multiple injuries.

Thomas Molloy pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving

Magistrates today heard CCTV footage of the incident needed to be played in court and - as well as witness and impact statements from Ms Lucas's family - the court would need more than an hour to deal with the case.

Both Ms Lucas's family and Molloy's family were at the court hearing.

Magistrates agreed to take Molloy's plea, but none of the facts were outlined.

They agreed to an adjournment and ordered an interim driving ban on Molloy until he is sentenced.

Magistrate Nigel Day said: "It will be dealt with as a priority case. I apologise to the families and my sympathy goes to all."

Molloy was granted bail until the case is heard at Dartford Magistrates' Court on Friday.

At the time of her death, Ms Lucas was described as a "quiet, unassuming young lady" by a neighbour.