Drug driver jailed over motorcyclist crash death

Darren Silvester drove under the influence of cocaine

A drug driver has been jailed for causing the death of a motorcyclist.

Damien Walton, 33, from Clanfield, Hampshire, was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash in Winchester Road, Bishop's Waltham, in December 2023.

Darren Silvester, 45, of Cobbett Close in Southampton, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while under the influence of cocaine.

Southampton Crown Court heard he was likely to serve half of his 32-month sentence in custody and would be banned from driving for five years after his release.

Damien Walton's son called his father his "biggest hero" after the fatal crash

Police were called at 07:23 BST on 19 December 2023 to a collision at the junction with The Avenue involving a Lexmoto Diablo motorbike and a Ford Ranger.

Temporary Sgt Jonathan Dove said: "Silvester's selfish actions that day have devastated a family by causing the death of a well-loved man who will miss Damien dearly."

In a previous statement, Mr Walton's mother and brothers said he was a man of "integrity, courage and resilience who experienced untold hardship" but "refused to be beaten by the harshness of the world".

His son added: "To my daddy, my biggest hero, I'll look out for you on the moon. I love you with all my heart. Miss you so much."