A DRIVER who fell asleep at the wheel, causing a crash that killed a 22-year-old pregnant woman, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment.

The crash occurred on the A27 near Polegate on June 4, 2020.

Niklaus Warner, of School Road in Hastings, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at court on June 23, 2021.

The 29-year-old’s passenger Meghan Pollentine died during the two-vehicle crash.

Warner had been driving him and his colleague Meghan back from Havant, Hampshire, following the end of their night shift working as mental health carers.

They had been travelling for an hour and 15 minutes when the silver Ford KA Warner was driving was seen to veer over onto the other side of the carriageway, crashing into an oncoming white Ford Transit van.

Meghan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Argus: Meghan Pollentine, who was pregnant, died during the two-vehicle crash Meghan Pollentine, who was pregnant, died during the two-vehicle crash

The driver of the van suffered life-changing injuries and spent a month in hospital following the collision.

Warner was arrested and in interview said he couldn’t recall the journey or why his car crossed into the opposing carriageway.

Dashcam footage from the vehicle travelling behind Warner’s car showed the Ford KA veering over the central white line on a number of occasions before the collision and showed no braking had taken place in the moments immediately prior to the collision.

Warner admitted both offences and was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Lewes Crown court on Friday, August 20.

After her death, it was found that Meghan, from Bexhill, was five months pregnant with a baby boy.

Paying tribute to her, her family said: "We lost our dear Meg a year ago in this very tragic accident.

“Meghan was passionate and happy go lucky, she had an infectious laugh and was overall a beautiful soul. Our lives will never be the same again after Meghan was so suddenly taken from us.

"There are some questions that will remain unanswered, questions that will always be there; why did he not pull over and rest when he had the chance to? Why did he not ask Meg to drive the last part of the journey home?

"I hope that Mr Warner uses this time to reflect on how his behaviour has impacted on our family and how we will never get to see Meghan again or meet her baby.”

Investigating officer PC Doug Park said: “This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided had Niklaus Warner taken appropriate breaks in his journey.

“He had many opportunities to stop and rest, to ensure he wasn’t continuing a long journey while tired, but he chose not to take them. That choice has ultimately resulted in the death of a much-loved 22-year-old woman.

“Driving while tired poses a serious danger to yourself and all other road users, and it is not worth the risk.”