Death smash lorry driver spared prison

A lorry driver who crashed into the back of a car queueing at traffic lights on a motorway slip road, leading to a man's death days later, has been spared jail.

But Judge Amjad Nawaz told him he will live with the consequences for life.

Mark Roberts, aged 46, was found dead at home in Willenhall after complaining of neck pains and a headache in the days after Matthew Broadley's Renault Tipper lorry hit his Peugeot 206. The father of two had been discharged from hospital.

His injuries were not thought to be serious following the crash on the M6 slip road at junction 10 in Walsall in October.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that 31-year-old Broadley, who was a driver for S&B Waste Management & Recycling in Purbrook Road, Wolverhampton, saw a queue of three cars ahead of him but expected them to move off as the traffic lights had turned green.

However, the front car stalled and Broadley's "attention was diverted momentarily," said Mr Nigel Wilkins, prosecuting.

The lorry caused "extensive damage" to the Peugeot and Mr Roberts, who was conscious, was cut free by firefighters as a precaution. Mr Roberts suffered a haemorrhage and was discovered dead at home by his wife on October 21, the court heard.

Miss Michelle Brown, defending, said Broadley had struggled to come to terms with what happened. Broadley of The Vista, Sedgley, admitted causing death by careless driving.

He was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.