'Erratic' drink-driver jailed after fatal crash in Earsham

Lee Peartree has been jailed for nine years after causing the fatal crash

A drink-driver who caused a crash that killed a father-of-four has been jailed for nine years.

Lee Peartree, of Diss, Norfolk, was three times over the legal alcohol limit when he veered into 40-year-old Jonathan Nyashanu's car.

Peartree, 34, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, also tested positive for cannabis.

Paying tribute to Mr Nyashanu, his family said he "was a man who embodied the essence of grace".

Norwich Crown Court heard that Peartree was driving a Mitsubishi pickup truck on the A143 in Earsham, near Bungay, shortly after 8pm on Sunday, 1 October 2023.

Jonathan Nyashanu, 40, died at the scene

It veered into the path of the Ford S-Max being driven by Mr Nyashanu, who died at the scene. Mr Nyashanu's two passengers - a woman in her 20s and a woman in her 30s - suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries.

Several witnesses described Peartree's driving before the collision as "erratic", swerving and bouncing off verges.

The court heard that Peartree, of Appletree Lane, tried to leave the scene after the crash but was stopped by members of the public until police arrived.

Empty bottles of alcohol were found in his vehicle as well as about 5g (0.17oz) of cannabis.

A breath test recorded more than three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath, and he was later found to have cannabis in his system.

'Taken too soon'

At a previous hearing, Peartree admitted causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and possession of a class B drug.

He was jailed for nine years and disqualified from driving for 11 years.

In a statement, Mr Nyashanu's family said: "Jonathan was a man who embodied the essence of grace, love and resilience.

"He was a source of comfort and strength to all who were fortunate to know him. Jonathan's life was cut short and he was taken too soon."