Lucas Akins gets a 14-month prison sentence for death of cyclist by his motor vehicle in an incident way back in 2022.
Lucas Akins, Mansfield forward jailed for 14 months after causing death of cyclist.
In March 2022, Akins was driving his seven-year-old daughter to a piano lesson in a Mercedes G-Wagon in Huddersfield when he struck Adrian Daniel, 33, who died ten days later, according to evidence presented to the Leeds crown court.
Akins, 36, pulled out into Daniel’s path from Crosland Factory Lane as he was riding down Huddersfield Road, near the West Yorkshire town, on his way home from work. The League One player denied the prosecution’s claim that he failed to stop at the give-way sign, saying police that he did not see Daniel coming.
Judge Alex Menary stated on Thursday that although he had thought about reducing the jail sentence, he had determined that only a 14-month immediate sentence was suitable. At a prior hearing, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire resident Akins acknowledged causing death by reckless driving.
Daniel’s headcam captured the crash, according to prosecutor Carmel Pearson. He passed away in the hospital ten days after suffering severe brain injuries. Although it was a “difficult junction to emerge from,” the defendant “did not stop at the give-way sign,” according to the prosecutor.
Savanna Daniel told the judge: “It has been like hell and a nightmare I’m not waking up from. There was no reason for Adrian to be killed that way.” She said that if drugs, drink or excessive speed had been involved, that might make it more understandable, but added: “This was too simple a collision to have taken a life.”
After playing for Burton Albion for eight years, Akins joined Mansfield in 2022. He played for Tranmere, Stevenage, and Scottish team Hamilton in addition to his hometown team, Huddersfield Town, where he started his career. Akins also made his debut for Grenada in international football last June.