A man has been jailed for 14 months after causing the death of a 61-year-old driver from Bury St Edmunds as a result of a head-on collision in Thetford.

Darius Gelezauskas, 46, of Portal Close, Barnham, Norfolk, was driving a green Audi A6 on the A134 near to Barnham Cross Common just before 6am on December 3, 2012, when he ended up on the wrong side of the road and crashed into a red VW Golf travelling in the opposite direction.

The Audi had crossed into the path of the Golf and hit it head-on before then colliding with an Alfa Romeo. The driver of the Golf, 61-year-old Timothy Edwards, of Olle Close, Bury St Edmunds, died at the scene.

Gelezauskas, his two passengers and the Alfa Romeo driver all suffered minor injuries.

Mr Edwards was self employed but had previously had a successful career as a qualified engineer and went on to work as a buyer at Vitality Bulbs, Heeco and AMOT Controls.

In a statement after his death, Mr Edward’s family said: “Tim was a much loved husband of Julie, father to Sarah, Maria and Terry, brother to Terry and devoted granddad to Mia.

“He was a sociable character, well known in town through both his love of real ale and his days as a rhythm guitarist with Tutch and later Nelsons Column.”

Gelezauskas, his two passengers and the Alfa Romeo driver all suffered minor injuries.

A forensic collision investigation established there were no faults with any of the vehicles involved which would have caused the collision.

Gelezauskas could offer no explanation as to why his vehicle crossed into the wrong side of the road, but the conditions were poor with rain at the time of the collision.

Gelezauskas admitted a charge of causing death by careless driving at Norwich Crown Court and was today sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Steve Matthews, of Norfolk Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “A momentary lapse in concentration in poor weather has turned lives upside down. Tim Edwards’s family are now without a husband, father, brother and granddad, and while Darius Gelezauskas’s sentence is finite, he must live with the knowledge that his careless driving has caused this loss.

“This case should serve as a reminder to all drivers to stay alert, drive to the conditions and be aware of your surroundings. This was a journey Gelezauskas regularly made but on that day 13 months ago, it had a tragic ending. I would like to extend my sympathies to Mr Edwards’s family at this difficult time.”