Deceased’s family compassion plea helps trucker avoid jail

An HGV driver who caused the death of a 67-year-old motorist through careless driving has been spared jail.

Christian Ciolompea, 47, pulled out of a give way junction and failed to ensure that the A57, near Worksop, was clear before he emerged onto it from a slip road.

He drove into the path of a car being driven by John Brunt, causing a collision. He was subsequently taken to hospital but his condition deteriorated and he died on 28 December 2022.

Romanian national Ciolompea was interviewed in relation to the collision and went on to plead guilty to causing death by careless driving.

He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on 19 February, where judge James Sampson heard from Brunt’s daughters about the impact of their father’s death, during which they addressed Ciolompea directly and asked for compassion in his sentencing.

Judge Sampson passed the court’s condolences to the family and described them as “magnanimous”.

He accepted that Ciolompea was genuinely full of remorse and would have to live with causing Brunt’s death for the rest of his life.

He sentenced Ciolompea to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and afterwards the family agreed this was appropriate.

A process of restorative justice is being considered for the family to speak to Ciolompea directly.

The HGV driver was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £1,500 costs with a victim surcharge.

Nottinghamshire police praised the other motorists who stopped to help Brunt following the collision.