Bristol man jailed for death by careless driving on A39 - killing 'inspirational' nurse
The 29-year-old was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court yesterday
Last updated 20th Dec 2022
A 29-year-old man has been jailed for more than half a year after causing the death of an 'inspirational' nurse.
Sean Coates, of Alcove Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in an incident which killed 52-year-old Stacey Steer.
He was sentenced yesterday (December 19) at Taunton Crown Court where he was was handed 26 weeks in prison.
The court hearing
On May 30, 2021, Stacey was travelling with her husband on his motorbike as a pillion passenger - and at the time, Coates was driving his car along the A39 at Holford.
On that road, Coates pulled out to overtake a slow-moving vehicle - but didn't see the motorcycle, which had already started to overtake traffic - and he knocked both passengers off the bike.
The court heard that Coates made no attempt to stop or call the emergency services and left the scene.
Stacey was airlifted to hospital where she sadly later died.
Officers conducted a search and found he had attempted to clean the car with baby wipes.
Stacey Steer
Stacey's husband, Carl Steer, said: "Stacey was the very core of our family, she held a place in all our hearts that I cannot describe in words. If you could have met her, you would have liked her, Stacey was that sort of person.
"Stacey spent her life dedicated to her family and her work as an intensive care nurse, never thinking of herself, always others.
"Through her gift of organ donation other people and their families have been given fresh hope. Even after her passing, she would still be saving lives, exactly what Stacey would have wanted.
"The worst part is not that we have lost Stacey, she was part of our lives and we will always be grateful, but Stacey will never hold our grandson, and he will never get to be loved by such a wonderful person.
"For her life to be taken away so senselessly is only compounded by the complete disregard Mr Coates had for his actions, by not only fleeing the scene, but by making every effort to save himself from justice with no thought of the lives he had destroyed.
"There will never be a sentence long enough in our eyes for what he has done. Hopefully others will see the devastation caused to our family and friends as deterrent to driving carelessly, and if one life is saved, then at least some good can come of this tragedy.
"Our family would like to thank all the efforts of Avon and Somerset Police, for the work they have done bringing Mr Coates to justice, and all the help and support they have given us.
"Stacey will never be forgotten, and we will do all in our power to honour her memory."
Coates has also been disqualified from driving for two years and 10 weeks - alongside his prison sentence.
His Honourable Judge Cook described the act of failing to stop as 'cruel' to the family at the sentencing hearing yesterday at Taunton Crown Court.
He added: "Your actions showed a complete desolation of the family's life. A basic sense of compassion and empathy should have compelled you to stop at the scene.
"The aggravating factors of this case is not the manner of your driving, but your actions afterwards."
Forensic Collision Investigation Lead, Andy Roebuck, said: "This was a tragic incident which cost Stacey her life. Our thoughts have been and remain with Carl and his family in this difficult time.
"The investigation brought numerous officers and staff together, who worked tirelessly in securing this prosecution. The action of Coates is beyond comprehension, not only with his manner of driving, but his subsequent attempts to protect himself from being brought to justice.
"Thankfully the swift actions of those attending officers found Coates and his Audi.
"While this sentence will not bring Stacey back, we hope it will provide her family with some justice and closure as they prepare to move forward without her."