Woman's heartbreaking message after father killed in drink-drive crash

A woman whose father was killed by a drink-driver in Sussex is urging others not to take the risk this Christmas.

74-year-old Nick Bailey was killed when his motorcycle was hit by a car being driven by a drink-driver in Crawley Down in June 2020.

His daughter Nicola Bailey has added her voice to support the Sussex Police campaign to stop drink and drug drivers this Christmas, describing the 'complete and utter devastation' the crash has caused for her family.

It comes after the man responsible for Nick's death was jailed for two years and three months.

Drink-driver Kevin Pratt had consumed several glasses of wine all afternoon just prior to the collision on Turners Hill Road on June 25th, after attending a barbecue with friends.

He had his last drink just 20 minutes before driving home with a passenger in his Vauxhall Astra.

Witnesses said Pratt failed to see Mr Bailey who was clearly visible on his motorcycle. Pratt turned into the path of the victim who had no time to react.

Mr Bailey suffered multiple injuries and tragically died at the scene.

Pratt, of Spring Plat in Crawley pleaded guilty to drink-driving and causing death by careless driving.

At Hove Crown Court on Tuesday (December 21st) he was also disqualified from driving for four years and six months.

The court heard how Pratt had given a positive breath test of 43 microgrammes (ucg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of breath. The legal limit is 35ucg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Following the sentencing, Nicola Bailey said the incident is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of drink or drug driving, which is one of the major factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

She said:

“Mine and my family’s lives have been smashed apart. The pain and grief of losing my Dad in such an horrific manner is both unbearable and indescribable. It is complete and utter devastation.

“If I had one message for someone thinking of driving who has consumed alcohol or drugs, it would be STOP: You have a choice.

“I beg anyone who thinks about drinking or taking drugs and driving: do not do it. You put everyone else’s lives at risk, and your own.

“Could you live with yourself knowing that you had killed someone and shattered so many other lives alongside? You have a choice.”

Nicola said she misses her father Nicholas every day, and said:

“I am lucky to have so many wonderful memories to hold onto, and so amazingly grateful to have had the memorable Nick Bailey as my Dad.

“He was utterly unique, a huge character and I was truly blessed, but he should still be here, by my side. His huge presence will forever be felt by myself and many others.

“The wonderful man riding home on his motorbike, back to his daughter and granddaughter, never got home. His right to life was stolen from him.

“That was not his choice. I waited and waited for him, but I never got to see him alive again. I never had the chance to say goodbye and tell him that I loved him so very very much.

“It was too late. By the time I got to him at the crash site he was gone. The images from that evening will stay with me for ever.

“The man that killed him, he had a choice. He chose to drive after he had been drinking. Every action carries consequences, and the consequences of his actions were fatal.”