2.5 years for death by dangerous driving for a HGV driver
A lorry driver who was unanimously convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at an eight-day trial last month, has been given a two-and-a-half year prison sentence. Michael Coombes, 62, from Stowmarket in Suffolk, was driving a 22-tonne HGV eastbound along the A14 dual carriageway, at Bottisham, in May 2007. At the trial, the jury heard that Coombes failed to notice the stationary traffic ahead, which was queuing as a result of a broken-down lorry blocking the nearside lane.
Coombes was unable to explain why he failed to react in the 30 seconds before swerving at the last moment and smashing into the caravan at the back of the queue at an impact speed of 55mph. A eight-year-old boy was killed as a result of the accident. At the sentencing hearing, Christopher Paxton, defence barrister, said in mitigation : “Mr. Coombes had an impeccable driving record for 40 years, having driven many millions of miles conviction and accident free.”
Source Road Transport.com
Our thoughts are with both families, a tragedy that shouldn’t have happened. Transport companies need to take extra care with their drivers - this one had an impeccable driving record over 40 years. I hope they are supporting the driver through this, as well as the family involved if they can, or perhaps better expressed as if they are allowed.
Kevin
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Tags: Causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, Driving, prison sentences for dangerous driving, Stowmarket