Overview
- Jurors heard from a motorist who called police about the stranded Nissan and urged operators to activate gantry warnings before the collision.
- Barry O’Sullivan told the court the crash would not have happened if he had been forewarned and said no overhead signs indicated an obstruction.
- Evidence to the court stated the smart‑motorway detection and warning system on that M4 stretch was not functioning, with the defence asserting it had been down for five days and alleging National Highways knew.
- Thames Valley Police outlined timings showing a public call at about 8:37am and National Highways notified around 8:41am, describing those intervals as reasonable with no evidence of wrongdoing.
- A traffic management officer said National Highways acknowledged the system was not working as it should, with the lead investigator understanding it was restored within 60–90 minutes and that extra checks were introduced.