Driver jailed
Caught on camera checking phone before fatal crash
A lorry driver who ploughed into and killed a woman motorist because he was too busy checking his mobile phone was jailed for five years yesterday.
David Shields, 34, crashed into Yvonne Blackman’s car, which was queuing in a line of traffic on the A75 in Dumfries in February last year.
The 66-year-old missionary worker never recovered and died weeks later in hospital.
Her husband of 38 years, Ralph Blackman, 78, urged drivers never to use their mobile phones while driving as he spoke outside the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
Mr Blackman, from Lockerbie – a HGV driver for 40 years – said: “I hope this sentence deters any drivers from doing the same.
“They should realise the suffering and hurt it causes to the victim’s family.
“I was a professional driver for 40 years and I’ve never used my mobile phone.
“If I’m driving I just let it ring. I know the dangers and other drivers should know the dangers.
“Only a second’s inattention can be dangerous and he had 18 seconds with his eyes off the road.”
Mrs Blackman, a mother-offour, had 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Her husband said: “She was very bubbly and fun-loving. She had a long life to live.”
Jailing Shields, from Drognan in Ayrshire, judge Lady Stacey told him: “I have seen a video of the crash and know you were paying heed to your mobile phone for 18 seconds.
“It was a very dangerous thing to do. I know you did not intend the catastrophic result, but you should have known the terrible risk you were taking.”
Shields, who served as a lance corporal in the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Iraq and Afghanistan, wept as he was led away. His defence counsel John Scullion QC earlier said: “He has asked me to apologise to Mrs Blackman’s family and is ashamed of his actions that day.”
Footage from Shield’s truck showed him focusing on his phone for a full 18 seconds in the lead-up to the fatal smash.
Shields, who had a previous conviction for speeding, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
Mrs Blackman was on her way to meet friends to carry out missionary work when tragedy struck.
She was caught in heavy traffic on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer road around 8:30am on 8 February 2017. Shields, who was driving a truck for 911 Rescue Recovery from Stoke to Kilmarnock, ploughed into the back of her Toyota Yaris.
Prosecutor Liam Ewing said: “Witnesses noted that the lorry did not appear to brake until a short distance before the collision at which time it skidded or snaked.”
Mrs Blackman died in hospital on 23 February 23 from chest and spinal injuries caused in the crash.
“I have seen a video of the crash and know you were paying heed to your mobile phone for 18 seconds. It was a very dangerous thing to do”
JUDGE LORD STACEY