WATCH: Van Driver Sentenced For Causing Serious Collision

A van driver who pulled out of a junction and into the path of an oncoming motorcycle in Ditchling Common has been convicted in court.

The 63-year-old motorcyclist had been travelling eastbound on Folders Lane East when the Citroen driver pulled out of a side road in front of him.

It happened as the van turned right onto the main road, coming from Ditchling Common Industrial Estate at around 3pm on August 27th, 2019.

The motorcycle hit the front of the van as it drove into his path.

A passing doctor stopped at the scene and gave the rider CPR, before the victim was flown by air ambulance to to St George’s Hospital in London with multiple injuries. It was later confirmed he was paralysed from the chest down, and he continues to receive rehabilitation treatment.

The van driver, Graham Ashen, 58, of Ropeland Way in Horsham, was interviewed by police and charged with careless driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He pleaded guilty to careless driving but not guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and the case went for trial at Lewes Crown Court on 18 August, where he was found guilty of the latter offence.

At the same court on Wednesday 13 October, he was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment – suspended for two years – and disqualified from driving for four years. He must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again.

He was ordered required to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £3,500 costs.

Investigating officer Tudor Wells, of the Serious Collision Investigations Unit, said:

“We’ve released this footage with the full consent of the victim and his family to highlight the consequences of careless driving.

Had Ashen stopped and paid proper attention to other road users – and given way as he was instructed to do by the road signage and road markings – then this terrible collision could have been avoided.

“By failing to follow these simple rules, he has caused another man to sustain life-changing injuries.

“It’s important to add that the motorcyclist was wearing high visibility clothing and was correctly positioned in the road at the time of the collision, and was in no way at fault.

“We will continue to investigate serious collisions and bring to justice those who compromise the safety of themselves and others on our roads in Sussex.”