A lorry driver who caused a six-vehicle crash after using his phone at the wheel of a 32-tonne truck has been jailed.
John Cupit, 44 from Newcastle Street, Tuxford, near Newark, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The court was told he was driving along the A1 in Newark on January 27 when he moved across to get onto a slip road.
Despite it being a busy time of day, he did not slow down and collided with a Punto.
The impact caused the Punto to spin and collide with another vehicle, which in turn collided with another two vehicles. A sixth car drove over the debris.
The driver of the Punto suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital along with another driver.
At first Cupit suggested the driver of the Punto had cut in front of him to stop at the back of the queue.
However, when speaking to another officer at the scene, he did not mention the Punto overtaking him.
Cupit’s phone was seized at the scene and evidence from the billing provider and his phone company against driving logs showed he’d often used it while on the road.
Cupit had also only had a few hours sleep before his drive and had admitted being very tired.
He was arrested and charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court at an earlier hearing and was sentenced on Thursday.
They are still recovering from their injuries
PC John Goodman, who led the investigation, said: “This sentence starts the long healing process for the victims and I hope this gives them the sense of justice being done – they are still recovering from their injuries.
“John Cupit got behind the wheel of his lorry knowing he was not fully concentrating on the road. His repeated use of his phone whilst driving, combined with his lack of lorry maintenance, shows his attitude to other road users.
“It is by pure luck the situation did not become worse. It was the worst collision damage I have ever seen where a person hasn’t died.
“This also sends a message about the dangers of using your phone whilst driving. You are risking your life, and the lives of other road users.”
