Doncaster lorry driver jailed after 72-year-old dies in HGV crash

Rhys Gardiner, 24, of Old Hall Road, Bentley, was found guilty following a trial at Carlisle Crown Court of the offence following the death of 72-year-old fellow HGV driver Timothy Harkness.

The collision occurred on the A66 near Kirkby Thore in Cumbria at around 5.40am on 3 April 2018.

Dash cam footage from Gardiner’s HGV showed his vehicle being driven on the verge before veering back into the road and colliding with Mr Harkness’s HGV.

A police collision investigator stated that the manner of driving suggested Gardiner had fallen asleep at the wheel. The court was also told of a text message Gardiner had sent in the early hours of that morning stating how tired he was.

In his police interview Gardiner accepted that his driving had fallen below that expected of a competent driver, which had resulted in the death of Mr Harkness. He denied he had fallen asleep at the wheel before stating he could not remember.

Sergeant Callum Young of Cumbria Constabulary’s Mobile Support Group, said: “It is clear that tiredness has impeded the driving of Gardiner prior to this tragic collision.

“Being behind the wheel when you are unfit through tiredness can have as debilitating an effect on your ability to drive as being over the limit for alcohol or on drugs.

“In this instance, the result was made worse by the fact Gardiner was behind the wheel of a HGV, which meant Mr Harkness never stood a chance.”