Willaston Based Neil Dey Was Killed In November 2016

The family of a man who was killed when involved in a head-on collision in November 2016 have spoken out after the driver of the lorry that hit him was sentenced after pleading guilty.

Neil Dey, 31, who lived in Willaston, died following a collision involving a van and a lorry on 7th November. The accident occurred on the A500 near Barthomley, Cheshire, causing the road to be closed in both directions for several hours.

Neil, a Utility Surveyor, suffered fatal injuries when the Vauxhall Vivaro van he was driving collided with a lorry coming from the opposite direction, driven by Adam Daniel Staley. Police, ambulance and four fire engines were called to the scene of the crash.

On Friday, 13th July, 2018, at Chester Crown Court, Staley, 35, from Leek, was sentenced to eight months in prison, had his disqualification from driving extended to three years and four months, and will be required to sit an extended driving test. Staley previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on 18th June. 

Staley had previously pleaded not guilty prior to the first day of the trial, having first appeared at Crewe Magistrates Court in October 2017. Having originally entered a not guilty plea on the 18th June, following discussions with his defence barrister, Staley changed his plea to guilty.

Following the incident, Neil’s family, including his fiancée, Eadaoin Mcloughlin, instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to act on behalf of the family through the legal process.

His father, Dr Michael Dey, 58, said: “This is a heart-breaking case where Neil has sadly been taken away from his fiancée and family far too early and in the cruellest of ways. 

“Tragically this was due to the careless driving of Adam Staley.

“No court sentence can come close to the life sentence that our loss of a much loved fiancée, son, brother and uncle has brought and the unforgivable way Staley took 19 months to change his plea to guilty.

“It is crucial that Adam Staley and other drivers take note of this case and the consequences of careless driving and ensure they take more care on the roads to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future. 

“The family ask that you please respect our privacy as we now try to rebuild our lives following our tragic loss and a very difficult, long court case.”

Neil, who was originally from Sandbach, was due to wed Eadaoin in Ireland on 1 September 2017.

Richard Biggs, the fatal accident specialist at Irwin Mitchell representing Neil’s family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Road safety is a cause we are passionate about, as at Irwin Mitchell we see on a daily basis the impact that collisions like this can have on people’s lives.

“Unfortunately, this is a heart-breaking example of the devastating, fatal consequences of this kind of collision and of drivers failing to be fully aware of other road users.

“Due to the actions of one person, a fiancée has lost her future husband and a family has lost a son and a brother.

“Nothing is more important than your own safety and the safety of others on the roads. It is vital that people remember this while driving. We will continue to work with Michael and the rest of the family to ensure they receive all the support they need following this sentencing.” Richard Biggs - Partner

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in road accident cases.