Yorkshire lorry driver jailed for killing nurse in crash while reaching to get a drink from his bag

Kenneth Wilson, from Carcroft near Doncaster, struck Tanya Forrest's stationary car near Cramlington, Northumberland, in 2019

The 55-year-old took his eyes off the road in order to grab a fizzy drink from his bag and crashed his 18-tonne lorry into her Ford Ka that had pulled over at the side of the A189.

The impact of the collision caused the Ford Ka to flip on its roof with driver Tanya, of Bedlington, pronounced deceased at the scene. Her 75-year-old mother Sandra, who was a passenger in the Ford, also suffered life-changing injuries. The pair had stopped in the middle of the nearside lane of the carriageway to call an NHS line to order a prescription.

Wilson, who was on a supermarket milk delivery run, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in February. On Friday May 6 he returned to the same court and was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He was also banned from driving for three years and eight months.

PC Steve Raeburn of Northumbria Police said: “This is an absolutely tragic case that reinforces the potential consequences of driving without due care or attention.

“Wilson’s lapse in concentration as he reached for a drink out of his bag has resulted in an absolutely catastrophic outcome. My thoughts go out to Tanya’s family and friends who continue to battle with the pain and anguish ever since her death.

“Had Wilson have been paying attention, he should have been able to recognise and respond to the stationary vehicle that had pulled over at the side of the carriageway. He had sufficient opportunity to avoid the collision - but failed to do so.

“No sentence could ever fill the void left in the lives of Tanya’s loved ones, but I hope this outcome and seeing the person responsible for her death convicted at court can offer some comfort.

“We all have a duty to drive in a safe and lawful manner in order to protect all road users. We will continue to seek effective justice against anybody who flouts the law and endangers the lives of others while behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

In a statement following Friday’s sentencing, Tanya’s family issued a heartfelt tribute to her.

They said: “There were two things Tanya loved above anything; her family and her vocation. We loved her and there are no words adequate for the deep grief and sorrow we feel at her untimely passing.

“She was a proud, dedicated, and skilled nurse. If she had not been killed in November 2019, she would have been on the front line against Covid-19, standing shoulder to shoulder with her colleagues in the NHS, caring for patients and working long hard hours to help eradicate this pandemic.

“It is not just her family that have felt her loss, the world will be forever lopsided because she is no longer part of it.

“We would like to thank the NHS, Tanya's other family, especially the team at the Great North Air Ambulance, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care A&E and the RVI Trauma and ICU Team who saved our mam's life against all odds and to Graeme Harrison, chaplain at NSECC for caring for us and her grieving colleagues.

“Northumbria Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked extremely hard in order to reach this outcome. We are forever grateful for their diligence and support.”