A lorry driver who crashed and overturned his vehicle – spilling thousands of parcels onto the carriageway between Emsworth and Chichester – has been jailed.
Stanislaw Polak, 63, of Jupiter Avenue, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, had been travelling eastbound on the A27 on October 9, 2020 at around 5.30am, when the lorry overturned, blocking both carriageways.
He suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.
A section of the A27 between Emsworth and Chichester was closed for around 12 hours in both directions after emergency services responded to the incident.
Members of the public stopped to assist at the scene, and shone torches in an attempt to alert any oncoming traffic.
But the driver of a gold Renault Scenic was unable to avoid a collision; her car was written off and she was taken to hospital - she was not seriously injured.
The central reservation was significantly damaged during the crash and the road was closed in both directions so that the lorry could be removed and repairs carried out.
After being discharged from hospital, Polak attended a voluntarily police interview. He was served with a postal requisition to face a charge of dangerous driving and later pleaded guilty in court.
At Lewes Crown Court on Thursday 3 March, he was sentenced to a total of four months’ imprisonment, and disqualified from driving for 19 months. He must also take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again.
The court heard how when asked by a paramedic what happened, Polak said words to the effect of “asleep just for a second”.
Investigating officer, PC Steve Lambeth, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said:
“There was a suggestion the collision may have occurred after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. He later denied this, and claimed there was a defect with the vehicle that distracted him.
“I would urge all motorists to ensure they have had adequate rest before getting behind the wheel. Take a break if you feel tired. If you are a professional driver, do not exceed the number of legal driver hours, and make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before you set off on your journey.”
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