A VAN driver who turned into the path of a motorcyclist and killing him instantly has escaped jail.
Dempsey Wayne Lee, aged 30, was jailed for eight months but the sentence was suspended for two years.
Lee, of Roman Way, Pontyates, was banned from driving for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.
Swansea Crown Court heard how Lee had been driving his Mercedes Sprinter van along the A40 Carmarthen to Llandeilo road on April 8 last year.
He turned right at Whitemill to enter a lane leading to a river and ‘simply did not see’ Trevor Phillip Cross, aged 62, approaching from the other direction.
The court heard the road was straight at the point of impact and visibility had been good.
Lee told the court during his trial that he still could not explain why he had not seen Mr Cross.
Judge Keith Thomas said the loss of life could not be measured by a court sentence.
The “failure to keep a proper lookout” while turning right had led to catastrophic consequences.
Lee, he was told, had been so affected by the accident that he returned to the road from time to time to try and work out why he had not seen the Triumph motorbike approaching.
“This is yet another reminder of the need for motorists to look out for cyclists and motorcyclists,” said the judge.
An examination of Lee’s van following the collision showed that it was not roadworthy.
But, said Judge Thomas, the defects had not contributed to the accident.
Lee had been cleared after a trial of causing death by a dangerous driving but had admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving.
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