Devastated family speak out after lorry driver killed in horror crash

Grieving relatives of a lorry driver killed in a motorway crash have revealed how their lives have been "turned upside down" - and issued a road safety warning. Michal Kaminski was driving on the M27 near junction five for Southampton Airport when a Nissan Juke and VW Polo next to him collided. The Polo driver had been speeding at 90mph, despite treacherous weather conditions, and lost control of the vehicle.

Michal, known as Mike, was forced to swerve and his Mercedes lorry hit the concrete pillar of a gantry and later burst into flames. The 36-year-old, from Salisbury, Wiltshire, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the VW Polo, Ross Neiland, aged 38, of Littlehampton, was jailed for nine years and nine months on 21 January.

He had previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured, driving without a licence and failing to give a specimen. Southampton Crown Court was told Neiland had tested positive for cocaine during a drug test administered shortly after the collision, although he later refused to provide a specimen of blood taken at the hospital. Witnesses also described him as smelling of alcohol at the crash scene, the court was told.

Following the incident which happened on 21 February 2022, Mike's family instructed expert road accident lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help them access the specialist support they require.

Mike's brother Rafal, whom he lived and worked with, has now joined his legal team in issuing a road safety plea. Lauren Haas, the specialist road accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell's Southampton office representing Rafal, said after the sentencing hearing: "Understandably Rafal and his parents remain devastated by Mike's needless death which the judge at sentencing described as wholly avoidable. "In my professional experience, the fallout from such incidents has a life-changing effect not just for the victims but also their loved ones left trying to pick up the pieces.

"While nothing will make up for Mike's death we hope this case will act as a deterrent and make drivers think about the consequences of their actions, so the number of people killed or badly injured on our roads reduces. In the meantime, we continue to support Mike's loved ones so they can try and come to terms with his death the best they can." Mike, originally from Poland, moved to the UK around 10 years ago.

He worked as a driver for a flooring firm and was delivering goods when the crash happened on the westbound carriageway shortly after 12.30pm. The three people inside the Polo tried to flee the scene. Neiland returned to remove stolen goods from the boot of the car before leaving the other injured victim in their Nissan Juke and running off.

However, witnesses who stopped their cars ran after the driver and detained him, Southampton Crown Court was told.

In pre-sentencing reports the court was told that Neiland admitted to taking cocaine and heroin until midnight on 20 January and he was on the way back from a shoplifting spree in Portsmouth when the crash happened. Neiland also banned from driving for 14-and-a-half years. Speaking after the hearing, Rafal, aged 34, said: "Mike was not only my big brother but my best friend.

We did everything together and he was the person I looked up to. "He was a kind-hearted person and everyone he met said the same. The day the police knocked on my door to say Mike had been involved in a collision was the worst day of my life.

At that point our family changed forever. "Mike was one of life's good guys. He enjoyed playing and watching football and films.

He was a big movie fan and would collect figures from Marvel movies. "We remain devastated that he's no longer with us. The collision has turned mine and my parents' life upside down.

"I can't thank enough everyone for all their kind words and support they have shown me since Mike's death. It's meant so much to me. However, I just hope that by sharing our family's story we can make others think twice about the consequences of their actions.

I wouldn't wish the pain we've been left to face on anyone." Phil Hanham QPM, lead investigating officer for this case, said: "Michal was innocently going about his daily work when his life was cruelly cut short that day by the selfish actions of another driver. "The dash cam footage of Neiland speeding, despite the heavy rain, is extremely shocking to view.

He clearly had absolutely no regard for the safety of himself, his passengers and other road users. "I would like to pay tribute to the family and friends of Michal who have remained so dignified throughout the investigation and court proceedings. "These scenes are incredibly difficult and upsetting for the members of the emergency services that are called to them while doing their jobs.

The motorists who were nearby when the collision happened were extremely patient and understanding and I want to thank the public for their support during the two days it took to get the carriageway back open. "I would also like to thank all the staff from all the emergency services and partners who worked so closely to bring this complex investigation to a close. In particular I must thank DC Ian Stevens and PC Rob Giles for their excellent investigation and case presentation, which left Neiland with no other option than to plead guilty to all offences.

"This case highlights that driving dangerously on our roads has terrible consequences that may lead to someone's death, and you being sent to prison for many years."

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