Man sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving

A man has been sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution for dangerous driving which caused the death of a teenager near Weston-super-Mare in 2024.

Kasper Stankiewicz, 20, from Congresbury, was also disqualified for driving for six years when he was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (Tuesday 22 September).

Stankiewicz was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict of causing the death of 18-year-old Alfie Gray by driving dangerously along the A370 following a three-day trial at the same court on Wednesday 13 May.

They were told how, on Tuesday 10 September 2024, Alfie Gray had been riding his motorbike home from work along the A370 towards Weston-super-Mare.

Stankiewicz had been travelling in the opposite direction when he caught up with another vehicle travelling in the same direction near Puxton Park.

He overtook the witness, going onto the opposite side of the road, and collided with Alfie who tragically died as a result of his injuries.

Alfie’s mother, Jennifer Gray, emotionally read a victim impact statement to the court, which 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.

“Alfie knew I didn’t like the idea of him having a bike. He continued to ask for our blessing. How could I say no? Riding was the making of Alfie in so many ways. He was quite a shy boy at times, but he came alive on the bike.”

She said riding brought him “so much joy” and put “that contagious smile on his face.”

She added: “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.”

Officer in the case, Designated Investigation Officer Zoe Wilkinson, said: “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.

“To lose a child at the very beginning of their adult life is not something which can be put into words, and 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.

“Alfie’s family and friends came together to support one another and showed tremendous strength throughout what was, understandably, an incredibly emotional day.”