A 27-year-old man from Ipswich has been jailed for more than five years for causing a fatal crash on the A12.

Police were called to a two-vehicle crash on the northbound carriageway at Marks Tey, heading towards Ipswich, at about 4.40am Saturday, September 3 last year. 

Marcin Zabicki died after his motorbike was hit by a Volkswagen Golf.

Ipswich Star: The A12 closure at scene of the fatal crashThe A12 closure at scene of the fatal crash (Image: Essex Police)

The 46-year-old had been on his way to see family in Colchester at the time having just finished work in Chelmsford and was described by his partner as a “loving father, partner and son, and an amazing friend”.

Nicholas Sparkes, who was driving the Golf, failed to stop at the scene of the crash but was stopped and arrested by officers. 

Sparkes failed a roadside breath test and later provided an evidential sample which returned a reading of nearly three times the legal drink drive limit. 

The 27-year-old, of Bickling Close, Ipswich, was charged with causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit and dangerous driving.

He admitted the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 16 and was sentenced at the same court on Friday to five years and four months in prison for the offence of causing death by careless driving whilst over the prescribed limit.

He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment for dangerous driving following the collision which will run concurrently.

He was also disqualified from driving for a total of 92 months and will be required to complete an extended re-test after this period. 

Inspector Mark Fraser, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “My thoughts are with Marcin’s family and friends.

“He was a hardworking man and devoted father, much loved by those who knew him.

“He has been taken away from them in the cruellest of circumstances due to the irresponsible actions of Nicholas Sparkes.

“There is never an excuse for driving with alcohol in your system and as this case shows, it can have tragic consequences.

“No result will ever bring Marcin back but I hope this result will help his family move forward.”