Fatal crash driver 'fell asleep'

A Royal Navy surgeon caused the death of a motorcyclist when he fell asleep at the wheel, a court has heard.

Richard Hughes was driving to Heathrow Airport when he hit the back of a lorry on the M3 in Hampshire in January 2008, Winchester Crown Court was told.

His car was then involved in a fatal crash with a motorbike ridden by 40-year-old Martin Hopper of Basingstoke.

Richard Hughes, 29, of Plymbridge Lane, Plymouth, Devon, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The court was told that when Mr Hughes was interviewed by police he told an officer he had hit the lorry as he went to overtake in the fog and it had slammed on its brakes.

However, Simon Edwards, prosecuting, told the jury that the lorry was in the middle lane overtaking and had not changed speed.

Interrupted sleep

He alleged that Mr Hughes took no evasive action and could not describe the lorry properly because he was asleep.

The court heard that Mr Hughes had told police he had slept uninterrupted from 1800 GMT the previous evening until 0130 GMT on the morning of the collision and then he had started his journey from Devon about half an hour later.

However, the jury was told that police checked the entry system to his accommodation, which needed a swipe card, and found he had used it to gain entry at 2321 GMT, 0012 GMT and again at 0220 GMT.

The tragic death of Mr Hopper was a consequence of this defendant's conduct. Simon Edwards, prosecuting

When asked about it, Mr Hughes replied he had been asleep most of the time but it had been interrupted.

Mr Edwards also told the court that an examination of his computer revealed that he had been using it during the time before he set off for the airport.

He had earlier worked a nine-to-five shift.

Mr Edwards said Mr Hughes had only been able to get five-and-a-quarter hours of sleep in the 24 hours before the collision and just under 10 hours in the 48 hours before.

"That is not enough sleep to avoid fatigue and tiredness and not enough sleep to provide the energy to drive at that time of day in the prevailing conditions," Mr Edwards said.

"The tragic death of Mr Hopper was a consequence of this defendant's conduct."

The trial continues.