Trucker Sentenced for Deadly Crash Due to Distracted Driving

A British truck driver was sentenced to ten years in prison for causing a crash that killed two fathers, a tragic incident linked to his distraction while driving. Neil Pratt, 43, was scrolling through explicit images just moments before colliding with Danni Hitchison’s Hyundai Kona on a highway in Lancashire last May. The force of the crash pushed Aitchison’s car into a tanker truck, resulting in a fiery explosion, as reported by the New York Post.

Prosecutors revealed that during his three-hour journey from Scotland to Liverpool, Pratt was using several apps, including WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok. Disturbingly, police photographs captured fellow motorists sitting in a taxi, visibly shaken after witnessing the aftermath of the crash.

During sentencing, Judge Ian Unsworth KC criticized Pratt’s behavior, emphasizing the recklessness of his actions. “Your selfish attitude towards driving is astonishing,” he stated. “You happily disregarded the rules of the road without remorse.”

The judge went on to call Pratt a “multiton catastrophe waiting to happen,” further highlighting the absurdity of his distraction at the wheel. “You were focused on your phone instead of the road ahead,” Unsworth added.

At the time of the collision, Aitchison had been speaking to his partner, Kelly, who recalled how their call was abruptly dropped. “He was just heading home to me and the kids. Their heroes are gone,” she shared, noting how challenging it would be to explain the situation to their children.

Pratt pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He is set to serve two-thirds of his sentence and has been prohibited from driving for seven years. His lawyer, Stephen McNally, mentioned that Pratt feels deep regret and loathes himself for the consequences of his actions.