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M1 fatal crash results in jail for shocked driver
Page 13
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• A 53-year-old truck driver who killed a father-of-two in an M1 crash has been jailed.
Edward Smyth—who was driving a 38-tonne HGV—hit a stationary transit van at 45mph, after failing to see a tailback waiting to leave the motorway at junction 19. Van driver Ian Heston, 31, was killed instantly. His van was then shunted into a caravan, trapping and causing serious injuries to the couple towing the caravan.
Leicester Crown Court heard that Smyth, of Corby Glen in Grantham, could only explain the crash as "a momentary loss of concentration". Driving conditions were good and Smyth was on his way to Ipswich when the tragedy happened on August 28 of last year. He was also familiar with the junction, the court was told.
Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, said: "There is really no explanation for what followed. His speed diminished by no more than 10mph by the time of the impact with the rear of the van. He remained at the scene in a state of shock, and was arrested."
The tachograph showed that Smyth, who has lost his job, had taken his regulation breaks. It was also clear he was not using a mobile phone at the time of the crash.
Judge Simon Hammond sentenced Smyth—who admitted causing death by dangerous driving—to an 18-month jail sentence and banned him from drivingfor three years.