HGV driver jailed for causing death by dangerous driving

An HGV driver has been jailed for two years today (13 January 2023) at Swindon Crown Court after he ploughed into the back of a stationary vehicle on the M4, causing the death of Craig Davies.

Shane Davies, aged 59 and from Swansea, was driving a Volvo heavy articulated lorry along the westbound carriageway between junctions 15 and 16 of the M4 in the very early hours of the morning on 16 March 2020, when he collided with an Iveco Ford lorry that had broken down on the hard shoulder.

Craig Davies was a passenger in the Iveco Ford lorry. He had exited the stationary vehicle to confirm that it had suffered a tyre blow out. Tragically, when Shane Davies’ lorry hit the Iveco Ford lorry, Craig suffered fatal injuries.

Shane Davies’ Volvo had moved 0.9 metres onto the hard shoulder, shunting the Iveco lorry along the lane. A forensic reconstruction established that there was plenty of time for an attentive driver to react to any potential hazard ahead.

Experts agreed that the lack of any reaction by Shane Davies to his Volvo leaving the road was due to him becoming unconscious or incapacitated and not reacting to the situation that was occurring.

Ruth Sands, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “The manner of Shane Davies’ driving resulted in the sad and untimely death of Craig Davies.

“All drivers have a responsibility to ensure they are fit and safe to drive – the consequences of not doing so are too serious, especially if you are in charge of a heavy articulated lorry.

“This case should serve as a warning to anyone who takes the decision to drive whilst tired or otherwise unfit to drive safely. The risk is not worth taking and you will be prosecuted whenever our legal test is met.”