A DRIVER who killed his pregnant colleague when he fell asleep at the wheel has been caged for three years.

       Niklaus Warner was driving him and 22-year-old Meghan Pollentine home from a night shift as mental health carers when the horror unfolded.

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       Meghan Pollentine was killed as her colleague fell asleep at the wheel Credit: Sussex Police

       The 29-year-old veered on to the other side of the carriageway of the A27 in his Ford Ka and smashed into an oncoming Transit van.

       Tragically Meghan couldn't be saved and was declared dead at the scene near Polegate on June 4 last year.

       In a cruel twist, doctors discovered she was five months pregnant with a baby boy.

       The van driver suffered life-changing injuries and spent a month in hospital following the smash.

       Warner has now been jailed for three years after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

       Meghan's family said in an emotional statement: "We lost our dear Meg a year ago in this very tragic accident.

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       “Meghan was passionate and happy go lucky, she had an infectious laugh and was overall a beautiful soul. Our lives will never be the same again after Meghan was so suddenly taken from us.

       "There are some questions that will remain unanswered, questions that will always be there; why did he not pull over and rest when he had the chance to? Why did he not ask Meg to drive the last part of the journey home?

       "I hope that Mr Warner uses this time to reflect on how his behaviour has impacted on our family and how we will never get to see Meghan again or meet her baby.”

       HORROR CRASH

       The court was told Warner had been driving for an hour and 15 minutes when he was seen on dashcam veering on to the other side of the road.

       Just moments before the collision, the KA swerved into the path of oncoming traffic with Warner not seen to use his brakes at all.

       After he was arrested, he said he couldn’t recall the journey or why his car crossed into the opposing carriageway.

       Investigating officer PC Doug Park said: “This was a tragic incident that could have been avoided had Niklaus Warner taken appropriate breaks in his journey.

       “He had many opportunities to stop and rest, to ensure he wasn’t continuing a long journey while tired, but he chose not to take them. That choice has ultimately resulted in the death of a much-loved 22-year-old woman.

       “Driving while tired poses a serious danger to yourself and all other road users, and it is not worth the risk.”