Truck driver jailed for dangerous driving

An HGV driver who crashed and overturned his vehicle, spilling thousands of parcels onto the carriageway, had been jailed for dangerous driving.

A section of the A27 between Emsworth and Chichester was closed for around 12 hours in both directions after lorry driver Stanislow Polak crashed at around 05:30am on 9th Octotober 2020. He sustained serious head injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment before later being discharged.

Police said the driver of a Renualt Scenic was unable to avoid colliding with the HGV and her car was written off, but she was not seriously injured. The crash caused significant damage to the central reservation and the road was subsequently closed to allow for the lorry to be recovered and for highways repairs to be carried out.

Polak attended a voluntarily police interview and was later served with a postal requisition to face a charge of dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty and at Lewes Crown Court 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’ – something he later denied.

PC Steve Lambeth, of the Sussex roads policing unit, said: ‘I would urge all motorists to ensure they have had adequate rest before getting behind the wheel. Take a break if you feel tired.’