'His life will never be the same again'

Van driver who left biker with 'catastrophic injuries' in 6am smash spared prison

- Sentinel Reporter

A VAN driver who left a biker with life-changing injuries has been spared jail.

Stanislav Asenov was driving a Mercedes Sprinter van in Heathcote Street, Longton, at 6am on November 9, 2022 and intended to turn right on to Anchor Road.

But he failed to come to a complete stop and collided with a motorcycle. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the motorcyclist slid under the wheels of the van and was trapped.

He had to shout for the van to be moved before an ambulance arrived.

Bulgarian Asenov, 37, was breathalysed but gave a negative result. In his police interview he said he looked left and saw a vehicle about 50 metres away.

He looked right and could not see anything. He pulled out into the road. At that point he saw a vehicle travelling towards him.