Alan Stevens in court for Wolvi crash that caused death of son Josiah

A Queensland father, still grieving the loss of his child in a motorbike accident, has been sentenced for causing a crash into a school bus which claimed the life of his second son. Here’s how the tragic case unfolded.

The burden of sentencing a grieving father who had already paid the ultimate price was palpable in the Gympie Magistrates Courtroom on Tuesday which heard any punishment would ‘pale in comparison’ to the guilt he already felt.

Alan Stevens was all too familiar with the unimaginable pain of losing a child in a crash when he caused a collision which claimed the life of his second son in March this year.

The 69-year-old Goomboorian father was driving a 4WD with 29-year-old Josiah beside him when he collided with a school bus full of children near Gympie.

All 26 children on the bus would all survive but Josiah, described as a “sweet, friendly guy with the infectious smile” couldn’t be saved despite a marathon effort from paramedics at the scene.

Stevens’ actions that day saw him charged with driving without due care and attention causing death and on Tuesday, the police prosecutor acknowledged “I’m not sure that there is any penalty that could be imposed by the court today that would be more significant than what the defendant is already suffering”.

With an empty expression, Stevens, who had also come close to dying the day of the crash, pleaded guilty to the charge, sat beside his lawyer at looked straight ahead throughout the proceedings.

Alan Stevens (inset) was sentenced on Tuesday in Gympie Magistrates Court after the horrific car crash that killed his son at Wolvi earlier this year.

Tragically, Stevens’ youngest son Clancy had died at just 17 after he and Josiah were doubling late one night on a trail bike at Goomboorian when they lost control and crashed in 2013.

On the day of this year’s crash, Stevens was driving along Wilsons Pocket Rd when he failed to give way and made a right turn straight into the path of the school bus on Gympie Kin Kin Rd.

The prosecutor said the school bus driver tried to swerve to avoid hitting the Toyota Landcruiser, but the collision could not be avoided.

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“The defendant's vehicle was rotated by impact forces and pushed down Gympie Kin Kin Rd towards the left and coming to a rest on the left, the school bus travelled off to the right and came to rest against the embankment,” the police prosecutor said.

The school children were able to escape via the emergency exit but some students suffered minor injuries.

The bus driver suffered leg injuries and lacerations.

TRAGEDY: Jo Stevens (left) died at the scene of a crash between a school bus and a 4WD at Wolvi on Tuesday where his father Alan Stevens (middle) was driving. Clancy (right) tragically died in a motorbike crash when he was 17.

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Solicitor Anna Smith said Stevens accepted full responsibility for his actions that day and made no excuses.

“He has little recognition but he does recall that the sun was particularly bright at that time,” Ms Smith said.

“He has no criminal history, he’s been a hard working contributing member of the community his whole life, previously working as a dozer driver.”

Josiah Stevens, the "sweet, friendly guy with the infectious smile", died at the scene of a crash involving a school bus at Wolvi.

Ms Smith said Stevens received significant injuries himself including fractures to the ribs, leg, arms, spine, punctured lung and nerve damage in his arm.

“He has ongoing medical appointments as a result of his injuries,” she said.

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“Mr Stevens is undoubtedly devastated the loss of his son and whatever penalty your honour imposes today will pale in comparison to the guilt he feels knowing that as a result of his driving, his son lost his life.”

Stevens was fined $1500 for the charge and disqualified from driving for nine months.

No conviction was recorded.