Lorry driver admits causing death crash
ALORRY driver who was sending text messages and playing a fantasy game on his mobile phone has pleaded guilty to causing two deaths and seriously injuring five others in a motorway crash.
James Majury, from Chorley, was using “a number of applications” on his mobile phone in the lead up to the crash, including Facebook and Sky Sports, Preston Crown Court heard.
School worker Anne Kerr from Southport and 14year-old Joe Cairns died in the pile-up on the M58 in January last year, involving the lorry, a minibus and a number of cars.
The victims were travelling in the minibus to Pontville School in Ormskirk when the crash happened near Junction 3.
Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said that the 32-year-old defendant was “voluntarily distracted” and reacted “no more than half a second before the point of contact”.
Emergency services including police, fire and air ambulances were first called to the incident at 8.45am on January 8, 2019 and the motorway was closed for around eight hours as recoveries and investigations were carried out.
Five other people were left ‘seriously injured’ in the crash.
On Tuesday, James Majury, of Milton Road, Coppull, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and five of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Majury wept in the dock as he pleaded guilty to the charges.
More than 50 family members and police officers were in the public gallery for the hearing.
Mr McEntee said: “The
Crown’s case is the defendant, from the moment he set out on the journey that fateful morning, was using a number of applications on his phone.
“It was not simply text messages but access to Sky Sports, Facebook and Hustle Castle which is a fantasy game.
“The defendant switched out from Facebook to text messages.
The defendant reacted no more than half a second before the point of contact.”
Mr McEntee added that Majury had shown a “flagrant disregard” for the safety of other road users.
James Ageros QC, defending, said: “[Majury] would like, through me, to express his profound remorse and regret for his actions and for their tragic loss. I accept the final disposal is inevitable and he will receive a custodial sentence.
“He will be going to prison for a considerable period of time.
“The events have had a severe psychological impact on Mr Majury. He has a partner and daughter and the long period of incarceration will have a big impact.”
Judge Robert Altham adjourned sentence for statements to be prepared from the victims and their families and for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on Majury.
But he warned
the defendant he will receive a “substantial” prison sentence.
Majury was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 31 and has been disqualified from driving.
Judge Altham said there would be an opportunity for the victims to read their statements in person at court and he would be “receptive to any application”.
After his death, Joe Cairn’s mum and dad said: “Joe, my brave boy, a true fighter with a heart of gold.
“An amazing sense of humour and infectious smile, a true superhero.”
In a statement released via Lancashire police, Ms Kerr’s family said of the mum-of-two: “Anne was much loved by all who knew her.
“She will be deeply missed by all her friends and family. She was a daughter, wife, and mum to two lovely boys. She was a lovely personality to be around.
“Her death has left us all heartbroken.”