Postman who caused fatal crash is spared prison term

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A POSTMAN who caused a fatal crash when he turned his van across the path of an oncoming Harley Davidson motorbike has been given 300 hours of community service.

Pillion passenger Maureen Stovell, 55, died and her retired firefighter husband Bob suffered catastrophic injuries because of the "momentary inattention" of David Clarke who was making his last delivery of the day on August 28 last year.

Former RAF airman Clarke, 58, of Kings Meadow, Bourton-on-the Water, admitted causing the death of Mrs Stovell, of Ripley, Derbyshire, by careless driving.

At Gloucester Crown Court he was banned from driving for three years and ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work for the community.

After the case, a Crown Prosecution Service official said Mr Stovell and his family were too upset to make any comment.

The court heard the tragedy happened on the A429 near Moreton-in-Marsh when Clarke was turning right into a farm entrance.

Mr Stovell, 56, suffered serious injuries "that took him to the brink of death" and left him suffering months of pain, said prosecutor Julian Kesner.

The court heard Mr Stovell had used his savings and part of his pension to buy the motorcycle – and he and his wife were on their way to a Harley-Davidson rally when the accident happened.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC was told that Clarke was a dedicated family man who had an exemplary RAF record.

"If ever there was a case that reminded us of the great responsibility that rests on our shoulders whenever we take to the road, this is it," he said.

Mr Kesner said Clarke had started his postal work at 6.15am on the day of the accident. He was driving towards Moreton from Stow-on-the- Wold at 1.45pm to make his last delivery of the day.

Clarke turned right across double white lines towards the driveway of a farmhouse, and collided with Mr Stovell's motorcycle, having not seen it approaching.

He said: "The collision was inevitable. Mr Stovell had no time to brake nor time to swerve. Mr Clarke had failed to show proper caution because he didn't see the motorbike."

He said no blame could be attached to Mr Stovell as he had been travelling within the speed limit and the Harley Davidson's headlight had been on at the time of the collision.

Charles Row, defending, said Clarke accepted full responsibility for the accident and his concern was not for himself, but for those who had suffered the consequences.

Mr Row said Clarke had not been speeding or driving impatiently. "This was a ghastly accident," Mr Row said.

[cyclemech1]

And people at work wonder why I don't want to drive one of their vans.
A really sad story that should serve as a warning to anyone that is rushing around trying to finish.