A LORRY driver dozed off at the wheel and ploughed into a van, nearly killing those inside who were thrown clear just in time.

Jasper Sawyer crashed his HGV into the stationary works van on the motorway near junction 5 (Droitwich) of the M5 after nodding off at the wheel.

The 26-year-old, who had only recently obtained his HGV licence and had been working for the haulage company just three weeks, was heading south when he crashed into the van on the morning of January 26 this year.

The van had come to a stop after suffering a burst tyre but, after the crash, Sawyer drove off despite extensive damage to his lorry and the van. The driver and passenger only suffered minor injuries after they were thrown clear by the impact.

Sawyer later lied to the haulage company over the telephone about what happened, claiming his HGV had been struck by another lorry but later told the truth.

Sawyer, who admitted dangerous driving, appeared before Recorder Sally Hancox to be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, his bag packed ready for prison.

Recorder Hancox said: “They’re lucky to be alive."

Christopher Lester, prosecuting, said Sawyer set off from the yard at 4am, travelling on the M6, M42 and finally on the M5 southbound where the accident happened at junction 5.

Mr Lester said there had been no hard shoulder at that point on the M5 due to ongoing roadworks and that this particular section of the motorway had been unlit.

He added: “Perhaps, if it had been, we would not be here at all.”

The van was described as being in a dangerous position but the hazard lights were on. The driver and passenger were getting out when the front near side of the Scania lorry struck the off-side corner of the van.

“They sustained very minor injuries as they were thrown out of the van” Mr Lester said.

The crash caused £13,107 damage to the lorry which was described as ‘quite new’ and £660 of damage to the older van.

Mr Lester said the defendant called the haulage firm at 6.43am from services on the M50 and ‘lied’ to his boss, claiming he had been hit by another lorry. However, Sawyer later contacted the police and told the truth.

James Buchanan, defending, produced four character references on behalf of this client and said: “He’s still a young man about whom much positive can be said.”

Mr Buchanan conceded the offence could have resulted in death and it was ‘little more than luck and coincidence’ that it did not.

He added: “There’s no question of excess speed, no question of a device being used such as a mobile phone or an iPad to cause distraction.

“He felt fit to drive. The explanation for what happened, the momentary inattention, was that he fell briefly asleep.”

He added: “One can well imagine the panic that sets in the aftermath of that accident."

Recorder Hancox added: "What brings you before this court took seconds. We often say 'by the grace of God' whether we believe in God or not.

"It's with thanks no doubt that you became aware that, in terms of the people in that van, all that happened to them were minor injuries as they were thrown clear as your Scania drove along the length of that vehicle and carried on.

"It seems it was a momentary lapse of attention and you nodded off for a few seconds.

"You will understand better than anyone in this room what catastrophe can arise from such moments."

Recorder Hancox imposed a 10 month prison sentence but suspended it for two years.

Sawyer of Church Park, Wittering, Peterborough must complete 180 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must also resit an extended driving test.

No order was made for compensation or costs.

Count two, not pursued by the prosecution (perverting the course of public justice) will be allowed to lie on file.