A van driver who performed a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre in wet conditions killed a car passenger and seriously injured three other people as they were travelling to a music gathering.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jasmin Gower was travelling to a music gathering with her friends in a car when they were involved in a collision with an oncoming van that had lost control after overtaking a lorry in heavy rain on the Caistor High Street, near Market Stainton, in August 2023. Tragically, Jasmin, from North Yorkshire, died at the scene, while her brother and their two friends travelling in the same vehicle were seriously injured.
The driver of the van that hit them, Uldis Stepins, was driving to assist a friend in moving items when he overtook a heavy goods vehicle during heavy rain as he drove towards Caistor. As he completed his manoeuvre, he lost control of his van, crossed into the opposing carriageway, and collided with the approaching blue Hyundai i10, whose driver had no chance to avoid the collision. A vehicle following the Hyundai caught the collision on dashcam, which occurred at about 5:30 pm on Friday, 4 August 2023.
Ms Gower was 29 years old at the time of the collision. She was described as having a joy for life, being extremely artistic and creative, and having a passion for animals. In a victim personal statement from her mother, Jasmin is described as someone who loved to give love and happiness to others, expecting nothing in return. Jasmin had a special bond with her brother, who was also seriously injured in the collision, and her loss has dealt a devastating blow to the family that can never be repaired.
Stepins, 47, of Crowland Avenue, Grimsby, was today sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and three charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for 13 years and must take an extended retest.
Stepins was driving his Mercedes Sprinter van towards Grimsby to help a friend move her belongings to another address. He decided to overtake the lorry he was following despite the rain and the heavy spray impeding his view of the road ahead.
Following an investigation by the Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation Units, Stepins was charged with driving dangerously for the road conditions that late afternoon, losing control as he regained his side of the road following the overtake. This loss of control caused his vehicle to travel across the carriageway and collide with the oncoming Hyundai, which was unable to take any avoiding action. The two vehicles collided, causing massive damage to the Hyundai and resulting in serious injuries to the driver, front seat passenger, and rear offside passenger. Sadly, Jasmin, as the nearside rear passenger, died at the scene from her injuries, despite the extensive efforts of passers-by and emergency services who attended.
In an interview, Stepins provided a written statement through his solicitor, explaining that he was driving behind a lorry that was causing so much surface water to splash dangerously that it made it difficult for him to drive safely. Stepins stated that he decided to overtake the lorry to avoid the splash, looked ahead, and saw an opportunity to overtake, but was slowed by the excessive water. He claimed that as he moved back into his lane, he lost control because of surface water.
Detective Sergeant Adam Doona, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:
“This collision demonstrates the need to take care when driving in poor weather, particularly heavy rain. Stepins chose to carry out an overtake of a lorry, despite the fact that both vehicles should only have been travelling at the same maximum speed. The heavy rain had caused numerous pools of standing water, and drivers need to be aware of the risks these present when driving.
“Stepins should have realised how limited his forward visibility was in such weather and that his safest option would have been to drop back from the lorry until the weather and road conditions improved. Unfortunately, the option he chose has resulted in the tragic death of a young woman and serious injuries being caused to the three other occupants of the Hyundai.”
Simon Outen-Coe from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said:
“The Highway Code provides advice on driving in adverse weather conditions. When driving in wet weather, drivers should keep well back from the vehicle in front, be aware that rain and spray make it difficult to see vehicles and be seen, and that stopping distances will be at least double those required on dry roads.
“Drivers should also be prepared to slow down gradually if the steering becomes unresponsive, as this may indicate that a build-up of water is preventing tyres from gripping the road.
“When overtaking large goods vehicles, drivers, regardless of the weather, should be aware that such vehicles cannot be driven in the same way as a car or van.
“They often have to brake more slowly or take a different line to account for the weight or load they may be carrying, as sudden manoeuvres may cause jack-knifing or other loss of control. Therefore, when overtaking, you should ensure you have an excellent view of the road ahead so that you can complete your overtake safely for both yourself and other road users.”
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