A man who used two mobile phones and manually used a satnav while driving a lorry with a heavy load has been jailed for three-and-a-half-years having been convicted of causing the death of another man.
Keith Manning, of Devon Road, Newark, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (June 14) following a four-day trial.
The 36-year-old had previously pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
It follows a collision on the A617 near Hockerton just after 8am on Monday December 12 2016 between a 38-tonne articulated lorry and a Ford Transit van.
The van was being driven by 58-year-old Stephen Marshall from Mansfield Woodhouse who died from the impact.
Detective Sergeant Adam Cooper from Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Unit said: “This incident shows the catastrophic impact that inattention whilst driving can have.
“Manning was effectively at the hands of a lethal weapon and he showed complete disregard for the power of the machine he was driving.
“Stephen Marshall’s death was completely avoidable.
“His family are left picking up the pieces and the Christmas period will now serve as a constant reminder of the tragedy.
“Keith Manning is beginning a prison sentence and leaving his own family to cope with the impact of that.
“I cannot emphasise enough that while driving, full attention needs to be given to what is happening on the road.
“Distractions such as using mobile phones and sat navs can, in a moment, have devastating consequences that impacts on many lives.
“Nottinghamshire Police Collision Investigation team will bring those that cause death or serious injury before the courts.
“The message is simple – no phones, no distractions, no excuses.”
The court was told how Manning’s dashcam footage and phones showed he had made calls on both his work and personal mobiles and had been programming his satnav while driving.
The evidence showed at the time of the collision Manning had ended a call on his mobile.
In a matter of seconds he had lost control, crossed onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of Stephen Marshall’s van, leaving Mr Marshall with no chance to avoid the crash.
As well as the prison sentence Manning was also disqualified from driving for three years and nine months with an extended retest requirement.
