M27 fatal crash: Man charged with death by dangerous driving
Ross Alex Neiland from Littlehampton has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after the crash which shut the M27 for more than a day.
He appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court on Saturday and has been remanded in custody.
It involved a Mercedes lorry, a Nissan Juke and a Volkswagen Polo, with the lorry catching fire several hours after the crash.
Neiland, 38, has also been charged with causing death while uninsured, causing death while unfit through drink or drugs, and driving without a licence.
He is next due to appear at Southampton[2] Crown Court on November 1.
The crash happened shortly after 12.30pm on Wednesday, February 21, near junction five of the M27.
The driver of the lorry, 36-year-old Michal Kaminski from Salisbury was pronounced dead[3] at the scene.
The Polish-national was making a delivery on the south coast for Salesmark West Limited when the crash occurred.
It comes as one woman admitted failing to provide a speicmen for analysis in relation to the crash.
Kerry Ann Pearce, 40, of Beach Road in Littlehampton, pleaded guilty and appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court on Monday.
She was banned from driving for 12 months, and fined £30.
Following the fatal collision in February, Hampshire police made three arrests.
One of those arrested, a 32-year-old man from Yapton, Arundel, died in May - though Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the circumstances were unrelated to the collision that took place three months previously.
An inquest was opened into Mr Kaminski's death in June with an initial cause of death given as multiple injuries.
Michal's brother, Rafal told the Echo he had been left "heartbroken" by the tragedy.
He said: "He was my best mate and he was really a mentor for me. He was such a smart guy. We were really close.
"It’s really heartbreaking because nothing is going to give him back to us, that’s the worst."
References
- ^ Hampshire police reopen 1989 Ricky Haywood murder probe (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Southampton (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ pronounced dead (www.dailyecho.co.uk)
- ^ Inquest opens into death of lorry driver who died in M27 crash (www.dailyecho.co.uk)