A MAN has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into a motorbike.

David Stevens, aged 36, of Belmont, Slough, was sentenced to three years in prison following a hearing at Amersham Crown Court on Monday, August 21.

He was also disqualified from driving for six years and six months and told to pay the standard court surcharge and victim payment.

Stevens pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving in a previous hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on July 12.

On March 18 last year, at around 11.15pm, Stevens was driving a Honda CRV on the A355 Beaconsfield Road, and, as a result of taking insufficient rest breaks during a long journey, he fell asleep at the wheel and lost control.

Stevens crossed onto the opposing carriageway, striking the side of a Range Rover travelling in the opposite direction, north towards the M40. This caused the Range Rover to lose control and cross over to the southbound carriageway.

The Range Rover then struck the victim, Siyon Casimir-Thomas, a 29-year-old man from Langley, who was travelling home on his Suzuki motorcycle.

The collision between the Range Rover and the motorcycle sadly caused fatal injuries to the victim, while the three occupants of the Range Rover suffered minor injuries. Stevens was not injured.

Emergency treatment was provided to Mr Casimir-Thomas by paramedics, but he was sadly pronounced dead before reaching hospital. His family have been supported by specially trained officers from the Roads Policing department since.

Stevens was charged by postal requisition on May 3 this year.

Senior investigating officer Sergeant Ed Crofts, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident in which Mr Siyon Casimir-Thomas lost his life and my thoughts remain with his family.

“Clearly it was not Stevens’ intention to take someone else’s life, and his early plea and good character references were taken into account on sentencing.

“However, nothing can bring back Mr Casimir-Thomas to his family who continue to suffer from the tragic consequences of Stevens’ actions that day.”

The police force is urging people to only drive when “you are fit to do so to stop lives being ruined by tragic incidents such as the one that took Mr Casimir-Thomas’ life.”