A man who caused the death of a fellow HGV driver in a head-on A66 crash three days before Christmas has been spared immediate prison.
Nathan Michael Walker, 26, was heading west to Glasgow having collected a food consignment for his logistics company employer from Yorkshire.
Just after 5.15am on December 22 2021, Walker failed to negotiate a left hand bend near Kirkby Thore.
His MAN goods vehicle crossed solid double lines into the eastbound carriageway, smashing directly into an oncoming DAF driven by Paul Stenner, 60, from the Lincolnshire area, who died instantly.
Another lorry driver saw Walker’s vehicle jerking to the right immediately before the collision. He saw no issues with the driving of Mr Stenner.
In the immediate aftermath that witness spoke with injured Walker, who asked several times: “Did I hit another vehicle?” Walker made similarly confused comments to a police constable, to whom he also said: “I’m not sure what happened, if I fell asleep or if I’ve hit someone.”
A police collision investigation report was compiled by an officer. Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Carlisle Crown Court of a conclusion: “There may be several reasons for the collision including fatigue; distraction; or a medical episode.”
But the precise cause will remain a mystery.
In a statement, Walker had said: “I would like to express my sincere and genuine condolences to the family and friends of Paul Stenner. I understand the grief and pain of their loss at Paul’s passing and that they are seeking an understanding as to why this collision took place.
“Unfortunately I cannot provide them with an explanation. This is because I have no memory of the period immediately before the collision.”
In an impact statement, Mr Stenner’s wife, Ingrid, said: “I never got the chance to say goodbye to Paul. He was my happiness, my soul mate, my best friend who I love so much even though he’s no longer with me.”
Walker, of Hall Close, Hemsworth, near Pontefract, admitted causing death by careless driving, and had voluntarily surrendered his driving licence to police. He had no previous convictions.
Mrs Stenner had said she would not forgive Walker. “She is very bitter. There is no surprise about that. She holds you responsible. You are responsible,” Judge Michael told Walker, concluding: “You didn’t set out to kill her husband.”
A five-month prison sentence was suspended for a year, Judge Fanning concluding that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and that Walker was an otherwise good man.
He must complete 150 hours’ unpaid work and a 12-month driving ban.
