A 20-year-old man has been sentenced following a fatal road traffic collision that claimed the life of a teenager near Weston-Super-Mare.
Kasper Stankiewicz was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict after a three-day trial concluded on Wednesday, 13 May. He was convicted of causing the death of 18-year-old Alfie Gray by dangerous driving along the A370.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, when Alfie Gray was riding his motorbike home from work along the A370 towards Weston-Super-Mare. Stankiewicz, travelling in the opposite direction, overtook another vehicle near Puxton Park by moving onto the wrong side of the road. This manoeuvre led to a collision with Alfie, who sadly died from his injuries.
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At Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, 22 September, Stankiewicz, from Congresbury, was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution and disqualified from driving for six years.
Alfie’s mother, Jennifer Gray, delivered an emotional victim impact statement in court, expressing the profound and lasting grief her family has endured. She said, “Trying to put this together has been incredibly challenging and it is one of the most difficult things I have had to write. To try and sum up how Alfie’s death has left us feeling is impossible. I was terrified of losing him before his life even started. Alfie, who made me a mum, and Kevin a dad.”
She reflected on Alfie’s passion for riding motorcycles, despite her concerns, describing how riding was a vital part of his character. “He was quite a shy boy at times, but he came alive on the bike. Riding brought him so much joy and put that contagious smile on his face.”
Jennifer added poignantly, “People say time is a healer. It’s a lie. We are broken forever. The heartbreak never ceases. It will never go away. Every day I wake up hoping this nightmare isn’t real. Every morning I wake up, and the grief hits, and I lose him again.”
Designated Investigation Officer Zoe Wilkinson commented on the tragedy, saying, “This was an incredibly tragic incident which resulted in the death of Alfie Gray, who was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and friend. No sentence imposed by the courts can truly reflect the devastating loss felt by those who knew and loved him.”
She added, “To lose a child at the very beginning of their adult life is not something which can be put into words. Alfie’s family have been trying to come to terms with the unimaginable loss of such a brilliant young man with his whole life ahead of him. Their strength and solidarity throughout this incredibly emotional day were remarkable.”