A motorist who caused the death of a man by driving dangerously on the A35 near Bere Regis has been convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Adrian Miroslaw Wojciechowski, aged 29 and of Yeend Close, West Mosely in Surrey, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving on Thursday 21 November 2019 following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. Wojciechowski had failed to attend for the trial and was convicted in his absence.
He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and banned from driving for 10 years, with the disqualification due to start when he has served his jail term.
The jury heard evidence that Wojciechowski had been seen by witnesses driving a white BMW on the A35 Puddletown bypass on the afternoon of Saturday 14 July 2018 at speeds estimated as in excess of 100mph.
At the point where the dual carriageway becomes a single carriageway, the BMW was involved in a collision with another vehicle – a white Land Rover Freelander being driven by 49-year-old David Grant-Jones.
Very sadly Mr Grant-Jones sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife Heather also sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. Wojciechowski and his two passengers were also injured and taken to hospital.
A blood sample from Wojciechowski revealed the presence of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – a primary active component of cannabis – at a level of three microgrammes per litre of blood. The legal limit is two microgrammes per litre of blood.
Sergeant Fern Graham, of the traffic unit, said: “The reckless driving of Adrian Wojciechowski on Saturday 14 July 2018 has resulted in fatal consequences with a devastating impact on the family of Mr Grant-Jones.
“Nothing will make up for the loss of their loved one and I can only hope that the conviction at court today will in some way help them to move forward.
“This case is another sad reminder that any time a driver gets behind the wheel of a car they are in control of a potentially lethal machine and there can be horrible consequences if they are not driving with appropriate care and respect for other road users.
“We will continue to make enquiries to locate Wojciechowski so he can be apprehended and face justice for his actions.”
