Bus driver jailed after falling asleep behind the wheel and causing crash
A bus driver who fell asleep at the wheel has been jailed to send a ‘clear message’ to others in the profession.
Xavier Peediyakal, 32, had displayed ‘all the warning signs of extreme tiredness’ prior the collision in rural Wiltshire.
He had been driving a double-decker bus on the A3102 between Calne and Lyneham on July 12, 2022.
After nodding off, the bus veered onto the other side of the road on a bend and smashed into a BMW X6.
The car was driven by man in his sixties who sustained multiple injuries and needed several reconstruction surgeries to his wrist.
In a statement provided to the court, he said: ‘Over the past year, I have been having therapy for the emotional trauma I have experienced as a result of the collision.
‘My granddaughter was in the car with me when we were hit. I was unconscious in the car and when I came round, I recall people telling me the baby was ok.
‘I keep playing this back and it has given me very vivid nightmares and affected my sleep.
‘I used to very much enjoy keeping myself fit, but I am still unable to do any exercise. I worry I won’t be able to do any again and will resort to a more sedentary life being sat in a chair.
‘I still have very limited use of my arm.’
Peediyakal, of Beatrice Street in Gorse Hill, Swindon, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on July 7.
There had been a small number of passengers on the bus at the time of the crash who sustained minor injuries.
As well as an 18 month prison sentence, Peediyakal was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 48 months, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.
PC Leigh Mayhew, of Wiltshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: ‘Peediyakal was driving a double decker bus to Chippenham where he was due to take a 45 minute break, having been on shift for approximately four hours.
‘However, prior to the collision, he was displaying all the warning signs of extreme tiredness. There was an opportunity to pull over and take a short break, but he failed to do so and in continuing with his journey, he put himself, his passengers, and other road users lives at risk.
‘Peediyakal has shown remorse for his actions but in sentencing, the Judge made it very clear that he hoped this sentence would send a clear message to drivers, especially those operating large vehicles, of their responsibilities to operate safely.
‘Tiredness can kill – please take a break if you feel that your tiredness is likely to impact your ability to drive safely.
‘While it is fortunate that nobody was killed during this collision, the victim – who was driving with his granddaughter at the time – sustained serious injuries which have impacted his lifestyle immensely.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.