Trucker caused crash that closed A19 for 11 hours and spread groceries and debris over lanes
A trucker has pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention in a collision which caused the A19 to be closed for 11 hours while a major clean-up operation took place. Nathaniel Armitage, 40, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court[1] on Thursday, July 17. Armitage, from Wakefield, was driving a HGV when he collided with another lorry, which was parked in a lay-by, on 17, December last year on the A19[2].
The collision thankfully did not result in any serious injuries, although a mass of groceries and sawdust from the two lorries were left strewn across both carriageways, which resulted in a huge clean-up operation and left the road closed for around 11 hours. Officers from Cleveland Police[3] don't know the exact cause of the collision, though footage showed the HGV slowly careering off course and into the parked lorry. Thankfully, no injuries were caused to the driver of the parked lorry, who was in the cab at the time.
Armitage was sentenced to six penalty points and a ?600 fine. Watch footage of the crash and aftermath below:
Sergeant Chris Lindsey, investigating officer, said: "It's extremely lucky given the damage caused that both of these drivers were not seriously harmed. This incident led to an operation lasting almost 11 hours with multiple agencies involved and it caused huge disruption to those using the main road networks in the area.
"The important message here is that people need to take their responsibilities as a driver seriously, and ensure that they remain diligent and take regular breaks when driving, not only for their own safety but for the safety of other road users. Not remaining fully aware of the road can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to large, heavy vehicles like lorries. "Fortunately, in this instance, the consequences were not much worse.
Please always ensure that you drive carefully, to help us reduce serious collisions on our roads." Operation Spotlight takes place throughout July, which is a national campaign targeting the four main causes of fatal and serious collisions, known as the 'fatal four'; speeding, distraction, driving under the influence and not wearing a seatbelt. For Teesside news direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter[4]
Join Teesside Live's WhatsApp community for court and crime news sent directly to your phone
Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we'll send you the latest news from Teesside's courts straight to your phone. To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'[5].
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live[6] team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice[7].
Click here to join our WhatsApp community[8].
References
- ^ Teesside Magistrates' Court (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ A19 (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cleveland Police (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ For Teesside news direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community' (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)