Legal News

Liverpool Crown Court has sentenced a Cheshire lorry driver to 30 months in jail and has and banned him from driving for six years, after a crash that left one man dead and two people with serious injuries.

Peter Tootle, 61, of Blacon in Chester was also sentenced to 25 months for causing serious injury while driving dangerously, to run concurrently.

At the end of the ban, Tootle must also take an extended retest before he can begin driving again.

On 30 September 2014, Tootle was driving a Volvo lorry which collided with the back of a stationary car which was queuing in traffic on the southbound lane of the M53 near Bebington – and shunted the car into other vehicles.

The traffic had been at a standstill while emergency crews dealt with an earlier unrelated collision close to Junction 4, the court heard.

Advance warning signs – including advice to reduce speed – were in place following the earlier collision.

Video footage shows the moments leading up to and including the moment of impact.

The collision resulted in the death of Mark Done, 51, a father and grandfather – Mr Done's wife Diane was in the passenger seat of the couple's car and is still undergoing treatment for her injuries.

A second motorist, Paul Johnson, sustained life changing multiple injuries to his chest, head and spine – and eight other people sustained minor injuries.

After sentencing, Crown Advocate Kim Egerton – who prosecuted the case for Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service – said:

“There are no winners in this tragic case – a man is dead, his wife has suffered serious injuries and another man is coming to terms with the life changing injuries he suffered in this dreadful incident.

“The life of Peter Tootle was also changed irrevocably on that fateful day.

“He is now in jail, knowing that what happened could have been avoided –
and that fact is something that it will be extremely hard for him and the victims and their families to come to terms with.

“He made no attempt to brake as he approached the standing traffic and clearly did not have his eyes on the road.

“He was distracted by something, but he cannot or will not say what.”

Duncan Lewis Motoring Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving motoring offences, including causing death by dangerous driving, speeding offences, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, DUI, driving uninsured or without a licence, driving while disqualified and vehicle maintenance offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on motoring offences, call Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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