Overview
- Barry O’Sullivan, 45, who was found guilty of causing death by careless driving, was given six months in prison suspended for 12 months and a 12-month driving ban at Reading Crown Court on Friday.
- He struck a stationary Nissan Micra in lane four of the M4 westbound between junctions 11 and 12 during the morning rush hour, and passenger Pulvinder Dhillon, 68, died as the car caught fire.
- Investigators said the smart motorway’s stopped-vehicle detection had failed for five days before the crash, so radar alerts did not reach the control room to trigger warning signs.
- Judge Amjad Nawaz said the lack of warning lights did not lessen a driver’s duty of care and found O’Sullivan failed to notice clear cues that the car ahead was stationary.
- The victim’s family told the court they are still struggling with the sudden loss, and O’Sullivan said he is remorseful as he continues to live with life-changing injuries.