Jail for HGV driver after A50 fatal collision

An HGV driver has been jailed for three years after he collided with a broken-down car on the A50 and caused the death of a woman. Paul Taylor, 65, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the incident on 15 April 2021.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how Kveta Hangonyiova and her husband Frantisek were travelling along the A road in a Vauxhall Insignia near the Blythe Bridge roundabout when they were forced to pull over due to a suspected mechanical problem in the vehicle. Police said that as a result, the car was stationary partly within lane one of the carriageway. Lorry driver Taylor failed to spot the vehicle and collided with its rear, causing it to roll onto a nearby grass verge. Both Kveta and Frantisek were either thrown or impacted by their car as a result. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Kveta was pronounced dead at the scene. Frantisek, who was severely injured, was transported to hospital for emergency treatment. He has since been discharged and is recovering at home. Taylor was disqualified from driving for four years.

PC Matt Lovatt, the officer in charge of the case, said: “This is a tragic case where there are no winners and serves to illustrate the importance of driving carefully.”