Van driver is jailed over fatal collision

A van driver from Staffordshire who smashed into an oncoming car on a sharp bend, killing its driver, has been jailed for a total of eight months.

Gareth Hawkins, from Rugeley, lost control of his Ford Transit on a notorious bend on the main Stafford to Uttoxeter Road and collided with a Vauxhall Vectra driven by Craig Logan.

The 42-year-old victim may not have been wearing a seat belt, but it would not have protected him from the impact, Mr Nick Burn, prosecuting, told Stafford Crown Court.

The bend where the crash happened, on the main A518 at Lower Loxley, had an "advisory" speed limit of 35mph, with illuminated advance warning signs, and Hawkins admitted his van was doing 40 to 45mph.

"In simple terms, he took the corner too quickly," said Mr Burn.

Hawkins, aged 30, of Ford Way, Armitage, admitted a charge of causing Mr Logan's death by careless driving. Along with the jail sentence, he was also banned from driving for a year and ordered to take an extended driving test.

The court heard that both men were on their way to work in the early hours of February 9 this year. Hawkins van had a full load of kitchen equipment for delivery, its weight putting it slightly over the permitted limit for the van.

Mr Burn said: "The defendant clearly braked, the effect of what he did was to bring it across the roadway and effectively left Mr Logan with nowhere to go. There was a substantial collision between the vehicles."

Mr Logan, from Ashbourne in Derbyshire, was unconscious at the scene and never regained consciousness.

Judge Robin Onions told Hawkins that drivers of goods vehicles bear an "extra responsibility" to drive safely.

Mr Michael Anning defending, said that Hawkins's remorse was genuine.

"He has had to accept responsibility for the death of another man, it has weighed heavily upon him."

Hawkins worked for the family haulage business, it was heard.