A man who killed a woman in a horror crash on the M6 after taking speed to stop himself falling asleep has been jailed.
Marcin Szewczyk, 43, ploughed his Mercedes van into a stationary Kia Sportage, crushing it against an HGV and killing Suzanne Taylor, 71.
This is despite the car having its hazard warning lights on in heavy traffic in October 2021.
Ms Taylor, 71, died at the scene near Sandbach, Cheshire. Her daughter suffered serious injuries and spent two months in hospital.
Cheshire Police said they found traces of amphetamine in Szewczyk’s system.
Witnesses stated his van had been weaving all over the road before the crash.
GPS data found his vehicle had left its warehouse, 22 hours and 31 minutes prior to the crash, travelling 450 miles.
He was charged with death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Szewczyk was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at Chester Crown Court.
PC Faye Clarke said: ‘Szewczyk’s actions and decision to continue to drive throughout the 22-hour period prior to the collision has devastated Suzanne’s family.
‘He did not hold a valid driving licence and enquiries found that his Polish driving licence was listed as confiscated and invalid.
‘Whilst employed as a professional driver Szewczyk deliberately chose to ignore the law and continued to drive whilst knowingly fatigued and under the influence of a controlled drug which put lives at risk.’
Ms Taylor’s family said: ‘No sentence can bring mum back.
‘We as a family want to move forward with our lives and keeping mum in our thoughts at all times.’
