Lorry Crash

A 49-year-old lorry driver is in court charged causing death by dangerous driving after one man was killed and two others seriously injured in a crash.

Mervyn Richmond, of Derby, is accused of crashing into a line of vehicles while using a hands-free mobile phone.

The prosecution said Mr Richmond was so engrossed in a conversation with his mother that he crashed into the back of a stationary van without trying to brake.

Michael Buston, 36, of Grimsby, a passenger in a Ford Transit van at the back of the queue, died in the crash on the A631 at Corringham in Lincolnshire.

Mr Richmond denies causing death by dangerous driving on March 13, 2007.

Robert Underwood, prosecuting, said Mr Richmond had showed "reckless disregard for other road users."

He said Mr Buston had been killed in the resulting "concertina collision" caused by the truck ploughing into the vehicle without stopping.

His brother-in-law Peter Long and driver Andrejz Matkowski were both seriously hurt.

Mr Richmond told police he was dazzled by sun reflecting off his wing-mirrors just prior to the crash.

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David Urpeth from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: "The allegations in relation to this terrible road traffic accident are that Mr Richmond although using a hand-free mobile phone was so engrossed in his conversation that he crashed.

"He denies causing death by dangerous driving.

"Whilst this case is yet to be decided, the position generally is that drivers must pay proper attention to the road and drive with due care and attention. If they fail to do so and cause a road crash, then they face the possibility of being charged for a motoring offence.

"I regularly act for people who have been injured or killed in road traffic accidents."