A lorry driver fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into a barrier alongside the M4.
Appearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, 43-year-old Kevin Andrew Wileman pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention.
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said the defendant was driving an articulated lorry fully-loaded with cement powder on the M4 between Swindon and Hungerford on 4 January this year.
Wileman fell asleep as he travelled down the busy stretch of road, resulting in his lorry leaving the carriageway and hitting the crash barriers – which woke him up.
He then drove the vehicle into Membury Services and arranged a tyre fitted to attend.
The police were also called and the officer responding recalled seeing about 15-metres of damage to an Armco barrier – describing it as bent and twisted from the impact.
Wileman, of Risca Road, in Caerphilly, Wales, later told police in an interview that he had fallen asleep.
Liz Highams, defending, said her client was working for Wincanton at the time – but has since been sacked after five years at the company.
She said the defendant had woken up at 3am to start driving at 4am, and claimed he had been “pushed at work” and was tired.
Ms Highams added that Wileman had taken a “power nap” at a previous service station he had passed and grabbed a coffee – but this wasn’t enough to keep him awake.
“He has taken full responsibly for his actions”, she commented before confirming that his client is likely to have his HGV licence revoked by the Traffic Commissioner in due course.
Magistrates imposed a £240 fine six-month driving ban and added six points to his driving licence. He must also pay costs of £85 and £95 surcharge.
