Drink-driver, 27, who killed a ‘devoted father’, 46, when he knocked him off his motorbike and into oncoming traffic is jailed for over five years
- Nicholas Sparkes, 27, was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit
- He knocked into Marcin Zabicki, 46, and his bike, pushing him into traffic
A drink-driver who killed a ‘devoted father’ when he knocked him off his motorbike and into oncoming traffic has been jailed for over five years.
Nicholas Sparkes was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit when he struck the 46-year-old father’s motorbike on the A12 near Stanway in Essex.
Marcin Zabicki’s bike was hit by several other vehicles when he was knocked into the path of oncoming traffic on his way home from work.
He was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by Sparkes’ Volkswagen Golf in the early hours of Saturday September 3 last year.
Sparkes, 27, failed to stop at the scene, but was found by police at a nearby service station and arrested.
Mr Zabicki was described as a ‘loving father, partner and son, and an amazing friend’ by his partner.
Nicholas Sparkes (pictured) was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit when he struck the 46-year-old father’s motorbike on the A12 near Stanway in Essex.
Marcin Zabicki’s bike was hit by several other vehicles when he was knocked into the path of oncoming traffic on his way home from work. Pictured: Mr Zabicki
The police closed the A12 following the incident
The father had just finished work in Chelmsford and had been on his way to see his family in Colchester.
Sparkes, of Ipswich, Suffolk, failed a breath test and later provided an evidential sample which returned a reading of nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit.
He was charged with causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit and dangerous driving and admitted the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court last month.
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Sparkes was jailed for five years and four months for causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit when he appeared at the same court for sentencing on November 24.
He was also sentenced to six months in jail for dangerous driving following the collision which will run concurrently.
Sparkes was disqualified from driving for a total of 92 months, and will be required to complete an extended re-test before being allowed back on the road.
Inspector Mark Fraser, of Essex Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: ‘My thoughts are with Marcin’s family and friends.
‘He was a hardworking man and devoted father, much loved by those who knew him.
‘He has been taken away from them in the cruellest of circumstances due to the irresponsible actions of Nicholas Sparkes.’
He added: ‘There is never an excuse for driving with alcohol in your system and as this case shows, it can have tragic consequences.
‘No result will ever bring Marcin back, but I hope this result will help his family move forward.’
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