Joshua Pinch sentenced in County Court over fatal Clarkes Hill collision that killed Craig Ashley Ridgeway

An apprentice baker who fell asleep behind the wheel while on his way home from night shift before colliding with another man in a fatal collision has learnt his fate.

Joshua Pinch fell asleep behind the wheel on Ballarat-Daylesford Rd in Clarkes Hill, where he fatally crashed into 51-year-old Craig Ashley Ridgeway.

A Ballarat East apprentice baker who killed a man after falling asleep at the wheel on his way home from work has avoided jail.

Joshua Pinch was sentenced in the County Court on June 12, after he pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving causing death.

On an early May morning in 2023, Pinch had been on his way home from his job at Pastry King’s Cafe and Bakery in Daylesford when he nodded off behind the wheel.

The court heard he veered across the solid white line on Ballarat-Daylesford Rd in Clarkes Hill, where he then collided with 51-year-old Craig Ridgeway’s ute.

Both vehicles spun after impact, leaving Mr Ridgeway with serious injuries.

Despite sustaining a leg injury from the smash, Pinch got out of his car and called an ambulance for Mr Ridgeway, telling the operator he “fell asleep at the wheel” and “felt so bad”.

Three passing drivers stopped to help — including an off duty paramedic — however Mr Ridgeway died at the scene.

Pinch was sentenced in the County Court on Thursday. Picture: Diego Fedele

The court heard neither Mr Ridgeway or Pinch had been speeding at the time of the collision.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Ridgeway’s partner of 23 years Debbie Truswell said she “holds no animosity in her heart towards the driver”.

“Things happen for a reason, everyone has lessons to learn in their lifetime,” the court heard.

On Thursday, Judge George Georgiou said he had “confidence (Pinch) would not have ignored signs of fatigue”.

“You’d previously used power naps when needed — but you didn’t feel this was necessary on that morning,” he said.

“It’s clear from your own letter of apology you’re aware of the devastating consequences of your conduct.”

Judge Georgiou said Pinch’s letter of apology demonstrated an “acceptance of responsibility”.

“Through your conduct, an innocent life was lost,” he said.

“This is a burden which will weigh on you for many years to come.”

Pinch was convicted and sentenced to complete a three-year community corrections order, where he will undergo 250 hours of unpaid community work.

His licence was also cancelled and he will be disqualified from driving for 18 months.