Man jailed for causing death of RAC man by careless driving on Rainworth bypass

A man who caused the death of an RAC repair man by careless driving on the Rainworth bypass has been jailed.
By Sophie Wills
Published 27th Feb 2020, 15:55 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2020, 15:55 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Gary Kupinskyj drove his Jaguar X-Type into a broken down Fiat Scudo van before hitting David Stokes as he was preparing to tow the vehicle away on the A617 Rainworth bypass on June 15, 2018.

Mr Stokes, 33, of Derby, died as a result of his injuries.

Forty-six-year-old Kupinskyj, of Greaves Lane, Edingley, Newark, was convicted of causing death by careless driving at a previous hearing. He was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.

Gary Kupinskyj (left) was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years after causing the death of dad-of-three David Stokes (right) by careless driving on the Rainworth bypass.Gary Kupinskyj (left) was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years after causing the death of dad-of-three David Stokes (right) by careless driving on the Rainworth bypass.
Gary Kupinskyj (left) was jailed for 12 months and banned from driving for two years after causing the death of dad-of-three David Stokes (right) by careless driving on the Rainworth bypass.
Most Popular

Kupinskyj (pictured wearing a black and grey coat) was today given a 12-month prison sentence and banned from driving for two years at Nottingham Crown Court. He must also pay a £140 victim surcharge.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Stokes' partner Natira Clarke said: "I feel hurt, annoyed and angry that David’s death could have been avoided.

"People often refer to the incident as an accident. It wasn’t an accident. I understand that Mr Kupinskyj didn’t mean to kill David, but what happened was avoidable.

"This one incident has destroyed all of our lives."

Sergeant Mark Baker, of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Mr Stoke's death was incredibly tragic, happening as he was coming to the aid of a broken-down motorist.

"This incident has sadly cost a father-of-three his life. The impact of that careless driving will be with the family he has left behind for life."