Recovery technician killed and motorist seriously injured after driver falls asleep

Technician struck by car while loading BMW onto truck marks fourth death of recovery operator in 12 months

Recovery technician killed and motorist seriously injured after driver falls asleep
Recovery truck follows hearse at Christopher Hadland's funeral. Image: Chris Gordon.

A recovery technician has died after a driver fell asleep at the wheel on the M69 in Leicestershire.

Ashley Wilkes, 28, veered off the motorway and struck Christopher Hadland, who was securing a BMW onto his recovery truck on the hard shoulder.

The married father-of-two died instantly as he was thrown across the northbound carriageway on Tuesday 10 October.

The driver of the broken-down BMW suffered a broken vertebrae in her back whilst sitting in the cab of the recovery truck.

Wilkes admitted causing Mr Hadland’s death by dangerous driving and injuring Ms Ciobanu by dangerous driving, between junction one, for the A5 at Hinckley and junction two, for Sapcote.

Related: Renewed concern for roadside recovery agents following M6 crash 

He now faces a two year prison sentence and has been banned from driving for six years.

Nigel Bannister, prosecuting, said it was a fine, dry day with good visibility and the recovery truck’s flashing beacon was on when Wilkes van veered sharply to the left and collided with the rear of the recovery truck.

“It struck Mr Hadland with such force he was thrown across the carriageway,” he added.

Judge Ebraham Mooncey said: “It’s pretty clear if someone isn’t fit to drive and they’re tired, they shouldn’t drive.

“I’m sure when you got behind the steering wheel that morning you didn’t expect anything bad to happen.

“But one person has lost their life and another person’s life has changed forever.”

The incident marks the fourth death of a roadside recovery operator in the last 12 months.

Share your comments below.

Home Page Forums Recovery technician killed and motorist seriously injured after driver falls asleep

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #159841 Reply

    A recovery technician has died after a driver fell asleep at the wheel on the M69 in Leicestershire. Ashley Wilkes, 28, veered off the motorway and st
    [See the full post at: Recovery technician killed and motorist seriously injured after driver falls asleep]

    #159842 Reply
    jim walker
    Guest

    two years jail, just two bloody years, ten would be more appropriate. no excuses don’t drive tired, on drugs, or inebriated. SIMPLE

    #159850 Reply
    Peter Miles
    Guest

    Totally agree with Jim above. For killing one person and very seriously injuring another it’s laughable sentence. He’ll probably be out in less than a year while a mother has to bring up children on her own and try and explain why all their friends have Dad’s and they don’t.
    And all the idiot driver had to do was have gone to bed earlier the night before.

    #160144 Reply
    Tim
    Guest

    It’s laughable that the judge thinks this punishment is OK, 4 deaths in 12 months, countless other injuries and near misses. What is it going to take for people to realize the flashing lights are not toys, they are there for a reason, as a warning of danger ahead. The law needs to change and NOW #Slowdownmoveover

Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

LEAVE A REPLY:

Reply To: Recovery technician killed and motorist seriously injured after driver falls asleep

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.