Bus driver jailed for killing woman, 27, in crash

Jonathan Eaves was jailed for four years and eight months for causing death by dangerous driving

A bus driver has been jailed for killing a 27-year-old woman in a head-on collision in North Yorkshire.

Jonathan Eaves had been driving an empty bus on the A19 near Easingwold on 26 January 2021 when it hit an oncoming car.

The car's driver, Saskia Bets, died in hospital that day.

Eaves, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, was jailed for four years and eight months at York Crown Court on Thursday.

Saskia Bets' family said "no sentence would be long enough" for the pain Eaves had caused them

Eaves, of Moss Nook Drive, Preston, Lancashire, was also disqualified from driving for six years and four months.

In a statement made after the sentencing, Ms Bets' family said they were "pleased that Jonathan Eaves will be imprisoned for this crime".

They said: "No sentence time would have been long enough for the damage and pain Jonathan Eaves has caused our family.

"There is no punishment that would do justice to this death.

“We as Saskia’s partner, sister and parents would like to thank everyone who responded to the incident after Jonathan Eaves drove his bus into her.

"Unfortunately their efforts could not save her life that day, but it demonstrates the goodness of mankind."

Eaves had been driving the Volvo bus, with no passengers on board, in the same direction as a cyclist, North Yorkshire Police said.

'Tragic death'

As the bus reached the cyclist, it swerved to the right, making contact with the end of the bicycle's handlebar grip.

The bus then crossed the centre white lines, into the path of Ms Bets' oncoming Audi car.

Police said the cyclist had been wearing a hi-vis jacket, a rucksack displaying reflective stripes and his bike had a rear red flashing light illuminated.

Specialist investigators examined the scene and found that the bicycle would have been visible to the bus driver for more than 30 seconds before the collision.

Det Ch Insp Jez Bartley, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Eaves’ dangerous driving resulted in a tragic death, and it is right that he now has to face the consequence of his actions.

“A thorough investigation has ensured that justice has been done, but no verdict can bring back Saskia, or undo the pain caused to her loved ones.

"I can only hope this case serves to reinforce the importance of driving safely and responsibly – something Eaves manifestly failed to do, with dreadful consequences.”

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