Families Were Dealt A Last Minute Blow 24 Hours Before Sentencing When HGV Driver Keith Mees Attempted To Withdraw His Plea

The families of two friends killed by a lorry driver on a mobile phone have spoken of their relief after the HGV driver was sentenced to six years in prison for causing the devastating motorway pile-up - despite trying to retract his guilty plea at last minute.

Ion Calin, a 42-year-old father-of-two, and Marian Olteanu, 35, both from Shirley, Southampton, died after the crash on the M271 on December 1 last year.

Veronica Calin, the devastated widow of Ion, and Marian’s cousin, Simona McDonald, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support them through the fatal incident investigation launched by Hampshire Constabulary in the wake of the crash, which closed down the stretch of motorway for four hours.

Keith Mees admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court on October 14.

But just 24 hours before he was due to be sentenced today, Mees attempted to retract a guilty plea – something which could have forced the families to endure the agony of a trial.

However, when Mees returned today he reverted back to his original plea of guilty and was handed an six-year jail term. He was also given a seven-year driving ban, to begin in three years’ time.

The court heard that Mees, of Pingle Farm Road, Newhall, Derby, was using his mobile phone before the incident.

The 49-year-old was driving an HGV on the M271 in Southampton when his truck ploughed into another truck and the back of Marian’s Ford Mondeo killing him and front-seat passenger, Ion.

The driver of the second truck suffered serious injuries.

Veronica said: “Ion was a doting father and husband whose loss we are still struggling to bear.

“Our boys now have to grow up without their dad, and it is heart-breaking that this could have been so easily avoided had the driver not been using his mobile phone.

“I am relieved that this kind of thoughtlessness has resulted in a custodial sentence, and while it cannot bring Ion back to me, all I can hope for now is that his death serves as some kind of lesson to those who still persist in using mobile phones at the wheel. You are a terrible accident waiting to happen.”

Simona, 42, added: “Marian was a kind, thoughtful man, and a lovely son and brother, who brought so much happiness to our family. It is so hard for his two brothers and his parents to know that they will not share any more good times with him and will never see him marry or have children. He will be greatly missed.

“That people continue to use mobile phones while driving, being in no doubt of the destruction and devastation it can cause, is unfathomable to me.

“No phone call, text, tweet or game is ever so important that it is worth risking the lives of those around you for. Ion and Marian paid for that kind of stupidity with their lives and we have been left to pick up the pieces.”

Irwin Mitchell is now bringing a case against Mees’ insurers to secure a settlement to help support Veronica and Simona and their young families.

Expert Opinion

“Mees’ last minute application to withdraw his guilty plea caused significant hurt and distress to the families of Ion and Marian yesterday, who had to quickly come to terms with the realisation that they would have to wait for a trial date and endure hearing the details of that terrible day.

“It is therefore a great relief to them to see Mees return to his original guilty plea, and be jailed today.

“While a settlement can never make up for the unbearable loss of losing a loved one, both families have to deal with the loss on a practical level. Marian would send money back to Romania to support his parents and two brothers, and veronica has to face the reality of single parenthood and the financial, as well as emotional impact that this will continue to have on the family.

“To lose a partner in this way is the stuff of nightmares, but to have your grief punctuated by money worries adds a new dimension of distress no one should have to suffer at such a difficult time.

“We are now a year on from the accident, and a family with young children is having to go through another Christmas without a father and that is simply not acceptable. After being repatriated to Romania, Marian was buried on Christmas day. This usually festive period will forever be a reminder to Marian’s family of the loving son and brother they have lost.

“Despite tragic collisions such as this, people are still using their mobile phones whilst driving and as a result people are being seriously injured and killed
“The lesson from this horrific tragedy is simple; do not use mobile phones at the wheel. Whether through ignorance or arrogance, there is no excuse for putting people at risk.” Claire Howard - Solicitor

Irwin Mitchell’s #SaferJourneys campaign aims to promote road safety. For more information visit www.irwinmitchell.com and search Safer Journeys.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to a road traffic accident, our serious injury solicitors could help you to claim compensation. Visit our Road Traffic Accident Compensation page for more information.