Daventry driver jailed for killing pensioner in crash after falling asleep at the wheel

A Daventry man who fell asleep at the wheel causing a crash which killed a 73-year-old man has been jailed.

Peter Weblin was travelling along a main road in Wales in his Ford Mondeo when he collided with VW campervan on the morning of Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

The campervan was being driven on the A5 at Glasfryn, Denbighshire, by Colin Gardner with his wife in the passenger seat.

Emergency services were called to the scene and all three were taken to hospital, with Weblin airlifted to hospital in Stoke with serious injuries.

The Gardners were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan but he died 10 days later.

Weblin was charged and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The 53-year-old, of Hemans Road, was sentenced to three years and two months in prison and banned from driving for four years and seven months plus will have to take an extended retest at Mold Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, June 4).

North Wales Police roads policing lead investigator Sergeant Meurig Jones said: “A split second has changed a family’s life forever and our thoughts are with Mr Gardner’s relatives today.

“This was a terrible and tragic collision which could have been avoided.

“Many drivers may feel the pressure to get to their destination even when fatigued, but driving when you are tired is dangerous and seriously increases the risk of having a collision.

"Make sure you are fit to drive at the beginning of your journey and have had adequate rest.

"If you are feeling the effects of fatigue whilst you are driving, this is the warning sign to find a safe place to stop and take a break.

"Do not continue until you are fit and alert. As this crash demonstrates, the consequences of driving whilst tired can be devastating."