British motorist Donald Pearce has been sentenced to five years jail after striking the bike of Zak Carr on October 17, 2005. Carr was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital following the crash, but died soon after.
The 49-year-old pleaded not-guilty to a charge of death by dangerous driving but has been convicted after standing trial at Norwich Crown Court.
It's believed a sleep-deprived Pearce may have fallen asleep at the wheel of his car when he struck Carr on the A11 in Norfolk. Pearce had been holidaying in Turkey with his wife and had not slept since flying out of the country the previous night.
Carr was well known in the British cycling community for his records and championships in time trials and on the track, was also starting to make his mark racing for Great Britain as a pilot for disabled athletes, and was planning to compete at the 2008 Paralympics.
