POLICE have warned motorists not to drive whilst tired, due to a lack of sleep or medication, as a man is jailed for causing death as he fell asleep.

Eric John Williams, 77 of Dewsbury was jailed for 20 months for causing death by dangerous driving when he crashed into a car being driven by an elderly woman in Malton, North Yorkshire.

On July 31, 2017 Williams was driving a black Kia Sportage near Scagglethorpe, Ryedale when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with two vehicles.

Williams crashed into a Hyundai i20, leaving its occupants with whiplash, whilst he crashed head on with a Citroen Berlingo, being driven by Jackie Lamb, 70 who lived in Setterington, Malton.

Ms Lamb was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police investigation concluded Williams fell asleep whilst driving, and not the result of medication he had been prescribed.

But despite this, police have used William's conviction as a warning to motorists.

Sergeant Zoe Billings of North Yorkshire Police said: "This was an unnecessary loss of life caused by the selfish act of Mr Williams driving when he was not in a condition to drive – driving is a privilege, not a right.

"We can all recite the mantra ‘Don’t drive tired’, but here is a tragic demonstration of the devastation caused when these messages are ignored.

"If you feel tired, whether though lack of sleep or due to medication, the message is clear - do not drive.

"To do so is reckless with your life and those of others – you have a responsibility to other road users, to only drive when fit to do so."