A GRIEVING son has shared shocking dashcam footage showing the moment his father died at the hands of a sleeping driver.
Ash Wakefield is hoping by releasing the heartbreaking footage, two years after the fatal crash, he can raise awareness and warn drivers not to get behind the wheel when tired.
The footage shows a van driving along the A420 near Abingdon in Oxfordshire and smashing head on into the van driven by his 71-year-old dad, David Wakefield.
The flatbed truck, carrying dozens of cones lands on it’s side, after flipping into the air onto the other side of the road, in front of another car.
Motorists can then be seen running towards the scene to help save the people involved.
The van driver, Christopher Trusler had been awake for 14 hours after working a night shift and then starting a day shift back-to-back.
He was sentenced to two years in prison for death by dangerous driving and given a four year driving ban but only served 364 days.
Ash believes that the blame for his father’s death not only lies with Mr Trusler – but also the company who employs him for allowing him to drive after working so many hours.
Posting on Facebook last Thursday, Ash, from Cheltenham, Cloucestershire, wrote: “Today 28th July 2017 at 09:05 will be two years since my Dad was killed.
“I’ve decided to make the dash-cam footage of a vehicle following my Dad’s van public. My Dad lost his life because of a ‘Traffic Management Operative’ – Chris Robert Trusler from Northampton who fell asleep whilst driving.
“This was due to working a night shift and then starting a day shift without adequate rest, his employer at the time ‘Centurion Traffic Management’ of Leeds (Centurion Site Services Limited) .
“In my opinion are equally responsible for Dad’s death as they should NEVER have asked/let their driver, do so many hours made even worse by him driving a motor vehicle.
“Chris Robert Trusler was sentenced to two years imprisonment for ‘Death by Dangerous Driving’ and received a four year driving ban. Sadly, due to our justice system he has been released after serving only 364 days.
“Below is the dash cam footage which is Graphic. The van (flatbed) on the right travelling towards you is being driven by Chris Robert Trusler who has fallen asleep.
“My dad is driving a van on the left-hand side and loses his life in this video.
“Please, please share this video to raise awareness of road deaths but especially in this case of driving whilst tired. I can’t bring dad back but hopefully we can warn others.
“Driving is not a given right, it’s a privilege. Think before you drive, you could be saving lives.
“Always in our hearts and never forgotten. Until we meet again Dad xxx.”
He added the hashtags, “#dontdrivetired #brakecharity #roadsafety #A420 #Oxfordshire #tirednesskills#dontdrivedrowsy” to his post, urging social media users to share the post.
