A Worthing man has been jailed for three years following a serious multi-vehicle collision in Climping, which left a woman with life-changing injuries.
Adam Stepney, 28, of Gratwicke Road, Worthing, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday (20 March) after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for four years.
Emergency services were called to the A259 Grevatts Lane at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 14 May 2024.
Witnesses reported that Stepney was travelling east when he crossed the central white lines into the opposing carriageway, resulting in a sequence of collisions before a head-on collision with a vehicle being driven by the victim.
The victim, a 60-year-old woman, was struck head-on and taken to hospital with life-changing injuries. She continues to undergo treatment for injuries sustained in the collision.
Stepney also sustained serious injuries.
Following a detailed investigation, Stepney pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Portsmouth Crown Court on 13 October 2025 and was sentenced at the same court on 20 March 2026.
The court heard Stepney had epilepsy and had failed to disclose recent seizures to the DVLA. He suffered a seizure at the wheel, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
In sentencing the judge described the case as “appalling”, highlighting that Stepney knowingly concealed his condition and made a deliberate decision to continue driving, placing others at significant risk.
The lead investigator, Tudor Wells, said: “This was a wholly avoidable incident. Stepney made a conscious decision to drive despite knowing he was not medically fit to do so. The consequences of that decision have been life-changing for an innocent member of the public.
“We would urge anyone with a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive to follow the correct guidance and inform the DVLA. Failing to do so puts lives at risk and will be treated extremely seriously.”
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