Jail for fatal crash involving driver on wrong side of road

A chef who drove on the wrong side of the road has been jailed for two years and four months for killing a taxi driver in a crash.

Christopher Boyle, 57, died on the A4139 between Tenby and Penally in Pembrokeshire on September 2nd.

Mateusz Sikorski, 30, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving in October and was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

Swansea Crown Court was told Sikorski, who was born in Poland, visited Wales to look for work as a chef.

The court heard he had been staying with friends who ran a local restaurant.

He was driving a friend's BMW towards Penally when he collided head-on with Mr Boyle, who was driving in the opposite direction.

Sikorski initially told police at the scene that Mr Boyle was driving on the wrong side of the road, but later admitted he was on the wrong side of the road, which was supported by CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station.

The court heard he drove on the opposite side for “at least half a mile” before the collision.

Mr Boyle was pronounced dead at the scene.

A victim impact statement was read out in court on behalf of Elizabeth Evans, Mr Boyle's sister.

“The loss of Chris was absolutely devastating,” it said.

“His tragic death through no fault of his own has left a void in our lives that can never be filled.”

Mr Boyle was described as a “beloved member of the community”, adding that “the laughter he brought to gatherings will be forever missed”.

Ms Evans said he was “the backbone that has held our family together” and the “impact of this one careless act will never subside”.

In his defence, James Hartson told the court that the defendant was “sincerely and deeply remorseful for his actions”.

He described the defendant's actions as a “lack of concentration” and said “he always took full responsibility for Mr Boyle's death”.

Sentencing Sikorski, Judge Geraint Walters told him he had been driving on the wrong side of the road, whether because he had “voluntarily forgotten” or because “in the UK you drive on the other side of the road to what you know.”

He added: “It is incumbent on all of us, no matter what country we are driving in, to familiarize ourselves with the rules.”

“Either they had forgotten or were ill-equipped,” he added.

“These cases are some of the most difficult that courts have to deal with.

“On the one hand, you’re harmless,” he said.

“On the other hand, the harm caused by this dangerous act could not be much worse.

“A loving son, partner, father, brother and admired by his extended family, could never have predicted that he would be experiencing the last seconds of his life just before he met you.

“Convictions cannot restore life, but the pain, anguish and grief can last for many, many years in many families and no one fully recovers from it.”

Craig Harding, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Mateusz Sikorski's driving posed a serious danger to other road users and had fatal consequences.”

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mr Boyle’s family and friends who have suffered a terrible loss.”