MICHAEL Stewart, 51 of Millfield, Poole appeared in court today (October 4) following a fatal car crash in Bere Regis in 2022.

Stewart was given a 38-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Stewart previously entered a guilty plea to offences of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving.

He had been found not guilty at trial of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Dorset Police was called just after 5pm on September 18, 2022 to a report of a collision at Rye Hill involving a Mazda MX5, a Ford C Max, a Honda Civic, a Vauxhall Corsa and a Suzuki Ignis.

The passenger of the Suzuki – a 62-year-old woman from the Weymouth area – died at the scene.

The driver of the Suzuki, a woman aged in her 30s from Weymouth, also sustained life-changing injuries as a result of the collision.

It was reported that the Honda, Vauxhall, Ford and Mazda had all been travelling toward Bere Regis from the Wool direction when the Honda, which was in front, stopped to turn right into Warren Road.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “The Vauxhall and Ford stopped behind it but the Mazda, being driven by Stewart, failed to stop and struck the Ford.

“The Mazda then went into the opposite carriageway and collided with the oncoming Suzuki Ignis.

“The impact caused serious damage to the Suzuki, resulting in the devastating injuries to its occupants, as well as damage to the Mazda and the Ford.”

Police Constable Leanne Howes, of the serious collision investigation team, said: “This collision demonstrates to all drivers the tragic consequences that can occur when a motorist fails to demonstrate due care and consideration, from a lapse of concentration.

“Our thoughts are very much with the family of the woman who sadly died as a result of this collision, as well as the woman who sustained life-changing injuries as a result.

“We have carried out a detailed investigation to establish the full circumstances of what happened so that the judicial process could be followed.”