Man who fell asleep at the wheel and caused a fatal collision near Corwen is jailed

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

53-year-old Peter Weblin from Daventry, Northamptonshire was travelling along the A5 at Glasfryn near Corwen in his Ford Mondeo on the morning of Wednesday 6th June 2018 when he collided with VW campervan.

The campervan was being driven by 73-year-old Colin Gardner with his wife in the passenger seat.

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

Mr Gardner and his wife were taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in Bodelwyddan however, sadly, Mr Gardner died on Saturday 16th June.

Weblin was charged and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He appeared before Mold Crown Court today where he 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.

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.”

Further information regarding driver fatigue is available via the Brake Road Safety website.