A 30-year-old man from West Drayton killed a motorbike rider while speeding on the wrong side of the road while overtaking in February last year.

Vasile Flore, of St Martin's Road, overtook a vehicle on the wrong side of the ride in Shepiston Road in Hayes when the motorbike rider came round a bend in the opposite direction.

The bike rider, Steven Flood from Ruislip , was unable to avoid Flore's car and was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash.

'Steven would not have lost his life'

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Tom Lynch from the Metropolitan Police , said: “If Flore had been driving in a sensible manner, in his own lane and within the speed limit, Steven would not have lost his life that day.

“Motorists need to be mindful that they are sharing the road with other users and there could be hazards around every corner.

“I hope people will learn from Flore's actions and really think about if it is safe and appropriate to overtake another vehicle.

“Knowing you are responsible for another person's death through your reckless actions is not a pleasant thing to have on your conscience.”

A dark and rainy morning

On February 20, 2016, Flore was commuting in his BMW car in Hayes just before 6am.

It was a dark morning and was raining slightly when Flore overtook another vehicle while approaching a bend.

He was driving at a minimum speed of 41 to 50mph but collision investigation experts said speeds could have been as high as 60mph – the speed limit was 30.

Witnesses described seeing Flore's car travelling fast on the wrong side of the road before the collision.

Mr Flood, 46, of West Mead, was driving sensibly as he negotiated the bend.

Claimed he was on the right side of the road

Flore claimed he was driving on the correct side of the road when he saw Mr Flood sliding across the floor travelling towards him.

However, a collision investigation expert found that it is very likely that Mr Flood took evasive action to avoid Flore's car by snatching the front brake, causing him to fall to one side.

The expert also added that Mr Flood's injuries suggest he was still attached to the motorbike during the crash, contrary to Flore's account.

Nearby firefighters tried to save his life.

Firefighters from the nearby fire station gave Mr Flood CPR until an ambulance crew arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene - Flore was ininjured.

Flore was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was charged on September 16.

He was found guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday (March 24) following a five day trial and was jailed for three years.

Flore was also disqualified from driving for four years and will have to retake his driving test.

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