Court frees smash driver
1st April 1999, Page 10
1st April 1999
Page 10
Page 10, 1st April 1999
— Court frees smash driver
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Keywords :
Road Transport, Shoulder, Dudley, Er, Morris Motor Company, Disaster / Accident, Law / Crime
A van driver whose vehicle smashed into a car on the hard shoulder of the M6 leaving its driver dead and three passengers badly injured has walked free from court.
Neale Gastinger, who worked for Gunn JCB of Cradley Heath. near Dudley. admitted causing the death of 33-yearold James Morris by dangerous driving. Worcester Crown Court put Gastinger on probation for 12 months and ordered him to do 100 hours' community service work.
Gastinger's Transit van had been seen swaying from side to side before the accident; he is believed to have fallen asleep.
The court heard that the van ploughed through traffic cones put up by the police around Morris's car. which was on the hard shoulder while Morris carried out repairs underneath it.