On the morning of 26 January 2021, North Yorkshire Police were called to the scene of a collision on the A19, just south of Easingwold.

Eaves had been driving a Volvo bus, with no passengers on board, northbound, in the same direction as a cyclist. At the same time, an Audi car was approaching from the opposite direction, travelling southbound.

As the bus reached the cyclist, it swerved to the right, making contact with the very end of the cycle’s handlebar grip. The bus crossed the centre white lines, into the path of the oncoming car, driven by Saskia Bets, causing a collision and impacting with the driver-side door.

Saskia, 27, suffered serious injuries, and tragically died in hospital the same day.

The cyclist had been wearing a hi-vis jacket, a rucksack displaying reflective stripes and his bike had a rear red flashing light illuminated. Specialist police collision investigators examined the scene, and determined that the cycle would have been visible to the bus driver for more than 30 seconds prior to the collision.

Eaves, of Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on 5 December 2023.

In addition to a jail sentence of four years and eight months, he was disqualified from driving for six years and four months.

Following the sentencing hearing, DCI Jez Bartley, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Eaves’ dangerous driving resulted in a tragic death, and it is right that he now has to face the consequence of his actions.

“A thorough investigation has ensured that justice has been done, but no verdict can bring back Saskia, or undo the pain caused to her loved ones. I can only hope this case serves to reinforce the importance of driving safely and responsibly – something Eaves manifestly failed to do, with dreadful consequences.”

In a statement, Saskia’s family said: “We respect and accept the verdict of the Judge made today, and are pleased that Jonathan Eaves will be imprisoned for this crime. No sentence time would have been long enough for the damage and pain Jonathan Eaves has caused our family. There is no punishment that would do justice to this death.

“We as Saskia’s partner, sister and parents would like to thank everyone who responded to the incident after Jonathan Eaves drove his bus into her. Unfortunately their efforts could not save her life that day, but it demonstrates the goodness of mankind.”

https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/news/north-yorkshire/news/court-results/2024/01-january/bus-driver-jailed-for-causing-womans-death/

On 18/01/2024 06:30 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> On the morning of 26 January 2021, North Yorkshire Police were called to the scene of a collision on the A19, just south of Easingwold.
>
> Eaves [It's not the done thing to refer to anyone only by surname until their given name has been provided - "Jonathan Eaves", it seems - Ed.] had been driving a Volvo bus, with no passengers on board, northbound, in the same direction as a cyclist. At the same time, an Audi car was approaching from the opposite direction, travelling southbound.

Was he a bus driver?

Just asking.
>
> As the bus reached the cyclist, it swerved to the right, making contact with the very end of the cycle’s handlebar grip. The bus crossed the centre white lines, into the path of the oncoming car, driven by Saskia Bets, causing a collision and impacting with the driver-side door.
>
> Saskia, 27, suffered serious injuries, and tragically died in hospital the same day.

Saskia died. Saskia Bets was the driver of the oncoming car, yes?
>
> The cyclist had been wearing a hi-vis jacket, a rucksack displaying reflective stripes and his bike had a rear red flashing light illuminated. Specialist police collision investigators examined the scene, and determined that the cycle would have been visible to the bus driver for more than 30 seconds prior to the collision.
> Eaves, of Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on 5 December 2023.

Singular or plural?
>
> In addition to a jail sentence of four years and eight months, he was disqualified from driving for six years and four months.
> Following the sentencing hearing, DCI Jez Bartley, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Eaves’ dangerous driving resulted in a [singular, you will note - Ed.] tragic death, and it is right that he now has to face the consequence of his actions.
> “A thorough investigation has ensured that justice has been done, but no verdict can bring back Saskia, or undo the pain caused to her loved ones. I can only hope this case serves to reinforce the importance of driving safely and responsibly – something Eaves manifestly failed to do, with dreadful consequences.”

Saskia was driving the car, yes?
>
> In a statement, Saskia’s family said: “We respect and accept the verdict of the Judge made today, and are pleased that Jonathan Eaves will be imprisoned for this crime. No sentence time would have been long enough for the damage and pain Jonathan Eaves has caused our family. There is no punishment that would do justice to this death.
> “We as Saskia’s partner, sister and parents would like to thank everyone who responded to the incident after Jonathan Eaves drove his bus into her. Unfortunately their efforts could not save her life that day, but it demonstrates the goodness of mankind.”

> https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/news/north-yorkshire/news/court-results/2024/01-january/bus-driver-jailed-for-causing-womans-death/

So... are you feeling alright?

Here's a quick quiz question for you (and the answer is within the
quoted text above):

Was "Saskia" driving the car or was she the "cyclist"?

QUOTE: Eaves had been driving a Volvo bus, with no passengers on board, northbound, in the same direction as a cyclist. At the same time, an Audi car was approaching from the opposite direction, travelling southbound. As the bus reached the cyclist, it swerved to the right, making contact with the very end of the cycle’s handlebar grip. The bus crossed the centre white lines, into the path of the oncoming car, driven by Saskia Bets, causing a collision and impacting with the driver-side door. ENDS

>>>Eaves, of Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on 5 December 2023. <<<

I should bloody well think so - off to jail you go.

On 19/01/2024 08:56 am, Simon Mason wrote:

> QUOTE: Eaves had been driving a Volvo bus, with no passengers on board, northbound, in the same direction as a cyclist. At the same time, an Audi car was approaching from the opposite direction, travelling southbound. As the bus reached the cyclist, it swerved to the right, making contact with the very end of the cycle’s handlebar grip. The bus crossed the centre white lines, into the path of the oncoming car, driven by Saskia Bets, causing a collision and impacting with the driver-side door. ENDS
>
>>>> Eaves, of Preston, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on 5 December 2023. <<<
>
> I should bloody well think so - off to jail you go.

Which "cyclist" was killed in the above-mentioned road traffic accident?

I agree that one of them was mentioned but unless *his* name was "Saskia
Bets" just like the car-driver's was (the coincidence to end all
coincidences), it wasn't him.

A Lancashire bus driver whose driving killed a “very special" York school employee has been jailed for four years and eight months.

Jonathan Eaves, from Preston, swerved violently into the path of Saskia Bets, 27, as she drove to work at Hob Moor Oaks Academy in Acomb from her home in Easingwold, York Crown Court heard.

She died later at Hull Royal Infirmary from major brain injuries.

She specialised in working with children with autism and/or learning difficulties.

Soheil Khan, prosecuting, said Eaves was at the wheel of an empty Reliant Motor Services bus and didn’t see a cyclist ahead of him on a clear straight stretch of the A19 south of Easingwold before dawn on January 26, 2021, despite the cyclist wearing reflective clothing, having a flashing red light and being visible for at least 30 seconds.

Only when he was almost on top of the cyclist did he swerve to avoid a collision, clipping the bike’s handlebars and driving into Saskia’s path as she drove in the opposite direction.

“She had no time to take any evasive action,” he said.

Eaves, 22 at the time and 25 now, of Moss Nook Drive, Preston, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was sacked by Reliant Motor Services following the crash.

“The common sense inference is clear,” Judge Simon Hickey told Eaves. “You mustn’t have been keeping a proper lookout. Something must have been distracting you. I don’t know what – perhaps only you know that.”
Mr Khan told York Crown Court of a series of incidents in the weeks leading up to the fatal crash when Eaves appeared to have been driving while distracted or not concentrating on the road.

He had been caught on camera driving with both hands off the wheel as he waved a bottle around wearing headphones and apparently listening to music, opening a can of drink or a box of sweets or something similar as he drove, and watching himself doing things with one hand including pressing the touchscreen of his smart watch.

He had been involved in a series of lesser collisions while driving his bus, told a friend he had had very little sleep, was taking anti-depressants and was so tired he had taken coffee and Red Bull to stay alert when driving from Halifax.

The judge jailed Eaves for four years and eight months and banned him from driving for six years and four months.

“Rightly and hopefully you will never be behind the wheel of such a vehicle again,” he told Eaves.

The judge told York Crown Court of Saskia: “She was very special person loved by her family, missed by many, in short an extraordinary young woman taken from us far too soon.”

Defence solicitor advocate Graham Parkin said: “This incident will live with the defendant for the rest of his life.”

He had made a series of small errors, such as not stopping in a layby shortly before the crash scene to clean his windscreen from spray thrown up by a passing lorry, which together meant he had been driving dangerously. There had also been a period when the cyclist’s rear light may not have been visible.

Eaves had not intended to injure anyone that morning.

He had continued to work following the crash and handed in references which he said confirmed that Eaves’ new employers knew about the court case against him.

He had been doing voluntary work with people with learning difficulties.

He also had mental health problems which had deteriorated since the crash.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24059936.jonathan-eaves-jailed-causing-death-saskia-bets/

On 19/01/2024 01:11 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

> A Lancashire bus driver whose driving killed a “very special" York school employee has been jailed for four years and eight months.
>
> Jonathan Eaves,

Oh... it's *Jonathan Eaves* now, is it?

Well done.

Duly respectful.

> from Preston, swerved violently into the path of Saskia Bets, 27, as she drove to work at Hob Moor Oaks Academy in Acomb from her home in Easingwold, York Crown Court heard.
> She died later at Hull Royal Infirmary from major brain injuries.
> She specialised in working with children with autism and/or learning difficulties.
> Soheil Khan, prosecuting, said Eaves was at the wheel of an empty Reliant Motor Services bus and didn’t see a cyclist ahead of him on a clear straight stretch of the A19 south of Easingwold before dawn on January 26, 2021, despite the cyclist wearing reflective clothing, having a flashing red light and being visible for at least 30 seconds.
> Only when he was almost on top of the cyclist did he swerve to avoid a collision, clipping the bike’s handlebars and driving into Saskia’s path as she drove in the opposite direction.
> “She had no time to take any evasive action,” he said.
> Eaves, 22 at the time and 25 now, of Moss Nook Drive, Preston, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was sacked by Reliant Motor Services following the crash.
> “The common sense inference is clear,” Judge Simon Hickey told Eaves. “You mustn’t have been keeping a proper lookout. Something must have been distracting you. I don’t know what – perhaps only you know that.”
> Mr Khan told York Crown Court of a series of incidents in the weeks leading up to the fatal crash when Eaves appeared to have been driving while distracted or not concentrating on the road.
> He had been caught on camera driving with both hands off the wheel as he waved a bottle around wearing headphones and apparently listening to music, opening a can of drink or a box of sweets or something similar as he drove, and watching himself doing things with one hand including pressing the touchscreen of his smart watch.
> He had been involved in a series of lesser collisions while driving his bus, told a friend he had had very little sleep, was taking anti-depressants and was so tired he had taken coffee and Red Bull to stay alert when driving from Halifax.
> The judge jailed Eaves for four years and eight months and banned him from driving for six years and four months.
> “Rightly and hopefully you will never be behind the wheel of such a vehicle again,” he told Eaves.
> The judge told York Crown Court of Saskia: “She was very special person loved by her family, missed by many, in short an extraordinary young woman taken from us far too soon.”
> Defence solicitor advocate Graham Parkin said: “This incident will live with the defendant for the rest of his life.”
> He had made a series of small errors, such as not stopping in a layby shortly before the crash scene to clean his windscreen from spray thrown up by a passing lorry, which together meant he had been driving dangerously. There had also been a period when the cyclist’s rear light may not have been visible.
> Eaves had not intended to injure anyone that morning.
> He had continued to work following the crash and handed in references which he said confirmed that Eaves’ new employers knew about the court case against him.
> He had been doing voluntary work with people with learning difficulties.
> He also had mental health problems which had deteriorated since the crash.

> https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/24059936.jonathan-eaves-jailed-causing-death-saskia-bets/

Now... who was the cyclist you claim was killed?

Did the cyclist, by the most amazing of coincidences, have the same name
as the car-driver (despite being of the opposite sex)?

>

QUOTE:
He had been caught on camera driving with both hands off the wheel as he waved a bottle around wearing headphones and apparently listening to music, opening a can of drink or a box of sweets or something similar as he drove, and watching himself doing things with one hand including pressing the touchscreen of his smart watch. He had been involved in a series of lesser collisions while driving his bus, told a friend he had had very little sleep, was taking anti-depressants and was so tired he had taken coffee and Red Bull to stay alert when driving from Halifax. ENDS

Was all that guff part of his "defence"?
No wonder he was jailed for nearly FIVE YEARS.