Driver jailed after fatal A21 collision near Whatlington

Friday, 11 September 2026 12:00

By Philip Keeler

37, Nathaniel Simpson of Calvery Close, Sidcup, Bexley - Credit: Sussex Police 2026

A driver who killed a motorcyclist after carrying out a dangerous overtake on the A21 has been jailed for five years.

Nathaniel Simpson, 37, of Calvery Close, Sidcup, Bexley, was driving a black BMW southbound at Whatlington on the morning of 6 May 2024.

During the journey, Simpson overtook a flatbed lorry, crossing double solid white lines.

His BMW then collided with a grey Honda Jazz travelling in the opposite direction on the correct side of the road.

The driver of the Honda attempted to avoid a head-on collision, but the vehicle suffered significant damage before leaving the carriageway and striking a bank.

The driver and passenger of the Honda suffered minor injuries.

The BMW continued to rotate in the road in wet and slippery conditions before striking a Triumph motorcycle which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The 57-year-old male motorcyclist, from Brighton, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have said they do not wish for his identity to be released.

Simpson was uninjured and was arrested at the scene.

He was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Simpson denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury following a trial at Lewes Crown Court which concluded on 14 August.

At the same court on Wednesday 9 September, he was sentenced to five years in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for seven-and-a-half years and will have to pass an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.

Addressing Simpson directly, Judge Chappell said: “Sadly no sentence I pass can turn back the clock and any sentence I pass does not replace the life that was lost that day.'

“Your driving record is not impressive, your previous driving has attracted the attention of the police on three earlier occasions.

“This is an accident caused as you chose to overtake when it was plainly unsafe; firstly the weather was atrocious with torrential rain and you overtook on double white lines on a blind bend, and secondly you were doing over the 50mph speed limit which was highly inappropriate for the prevailing weather conditions.''

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