M54 death crash lorry driver from Telford jailed

A Telford lorry driver was jailed for 14 months today for killing a man in a crash on the M54.

William Maiden, 49, of Maple Close, Trench, caused the death of Chris Tolley on September 12 last year.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard today that a tyre on Mr Tolley's lorry had blown.

The 52-year-old had stopped on the hard shoulder of the westbound motorway between junctions three at Albrighton and junction four at Shifnal.

Judge Robin Onions said the chain of events which followed was 'a tragedy'.

The court heard when a roadside assistance van arrived Mr Tolley, of Trinity Close, Cannock, was standing at the rear of his vehicle.

A lorry driven by father-of-six Maiden then hit the van and it was pushed against the lorry, trapping Mr Tolley. He was pronounced dead at the scene and two other people also suffered injuries.

The judge said Maiden 'probably' fell asleep at the wheel for a few moments after he had performed an overtaking manoeuvre.

At the time of the impact Maiden's lorry was straddling the hard shoulder and the inside driving lane.

Mr Denis Desmond, prosecuting, said DVLA records showed Maiden had failed to renew the HGV classes on his licence.

A victim impact statement by Mr Tolley's family was read to the court, which said no words could express their 'pain, anger and grief'.

Maiden admitted causing death by careless driving and causing death when driving not in accordance with a licence. He also faced a third charge of causing death by dangerous driving, which he denied, but the judge directed a not guilty verdict after the prosecution offered no evidence.

The judge said speeding, drugs and alcohol plus Maiden's diabetes played no part in the accident.

Maiden was also banned from driving for three years.

Mr Adrian Roberts, for Maiden, said his client, a lorry driver with 20 years' experience, had shown remorse for causing Mr Tolley's death and has since given up driving professionally.

By Tom Johannsen