Derbyshire Police says 72-year-old Robert Browne "overtook three cars in poor weather conditions".
The solar farm would have been across an area the equivalent to about 90 football pitches.
Parks in Stamford, Morton and Market Deeping will also benefit from £250,000 of investment.
Jay Cardall joined Mather of Tibshelf, a blacksmiths based in Derbyshire, in April 2024.
Villagers say the bus was a "lifeline" for many people but the operator says it needs more funding.
RSPCA staff said they were "baffled" why it took more than a year for Storm to find a new home.
