M271 crash: Lorry driver found guilty of death by dangerous driving
Stefan-Alexandru Bloj was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving by a majority verdict.
The court previously heard how the 34-year-old Royal Mail driver had nodded off moments[1] before the fatal crash by Redbridge roundabout.
David Sullivan, 64, had slowed down but his Citroen Relay was sent flying into the air when Bloj’s 44-tonne lorry ploughed into it.
Having retired yesterday afternoon, the jury returned just after 2pm today to deliver its verdict. Bloj was found guilty by a majority of ten to two.
Romanian national Bloj, of Osborne Road, Southsea, had been playing videos on his phone at the time but claimed that he had just been listening to the shows and not watching the screen.
He told jurors that since the accident at around 8.30am on November 17, 2020, he had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea – when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, causing sleepiness in the day.
He only had three hours sleep before the 14-hour shift.
He spent his rest breaks to watch videos on his phone and text his partner, jurors heard.
A pre-sentence report has now been ordered with Bloj set to be sentenced at Southampton[4] Crown Court on August 31.
He has been bailed and must surrender his passport at a police station.
References
- ^ had nodded off moments (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Lorry driver ‘fell asleep at the wheel’ before fatal crash on M271 (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Lorry driver in fatal crash trial ‘was playing videos on his phone’ (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Southampton (www.dailyecho.co.uk)