Lorry driver jailed for over four years for causing death of “amazing” husband and father

Daniel Loft, 37, of Bingham, Nottingham, died in hospital 18 days after the incident, which happened on the A46 northbound near East Bridgford on 12 December 2024. Nottingham Crown Court heard that lorry driver Colin Longbottom had been using a built-in touch screen and had failed to pay enough attention to the road. Due to being distracted, Longbottom, 63, crashed into Loft's stationary vehicle.

Loft had just exited his truck via the passenger's side door and was struck by his vehicle, sustaining serious head injuries. He was taken to Queen's Medical Centre and treated in intensive care for 18 days. He died on 30 December 2024, leaving behind a wife and two children.

Internal CCTV in the cab captured Longbottom looking down for prolonged periods and taking intermittent glances at the road ahead, with the court hearing his eyes were off the road for approximately four seconds prior to the collision. During a police interview, Longbottom, of Woodhouse Road, Wakefield, told officers he had been using the touch screen in an effort to turn off his fog lights, but accepted his driving fell far below the standards of a competent driver. As part of the police investigation, Longbottom's mobile phone was examined and detectives found he had been using the device whilst driving a few minutes before the collision.

Collision investigators found he had been sending Facebook messages and making calls which were not completed by voice activation, although he was not using his phone at the time of the crash. Longbottom, of Woodhouse Road, Wakefield, went on to plead guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on 6 January and was sentenced today (10 February). Sentencing him to 53 months in prison, Judge Rupert Mayo said: "These cases are always unbelievably tragic.

There are no winners in cases such as these and it would be wrong of anybody, myself included, to try and value Danny's life in weeks, months or years [when passing sentence]. "You were driving on the A46 while trying to operate the fog lights and you failed to observe the hazard in the carriageway. "You accepted the occasional glances were insufficient to properly register what was ahead of you.

You should not have taken your eyes off the road. You were driving a thunderous vehicle capable of causing catastrophic damage. "You took your eyes off the road for at least four seconds.

That was why this was fairly and squarely dangerous driving. "Your life has been utterly ruined by what happened on 12 December 2024, as have the lives of those who loved Danny Loft." Loft's family have asked for privacy following the sentencing.

Paying tribute to him, Loft's wife Holly said: "Our family has been left completely broken after the loss of the most amazing husband, father, son and brother. "Because of the senseless actions of one man's dangerous driving, my husband left for work as he did every day, never to return home to his wife and two beloved children. "Danny was well known and respected in the local community with his involvement in football coaching for Cotgrave FC and running his own soccer school in Cropwell Bishop.

"His death has not only impacted his friends and family, but the many children that have grown up with Danny coaching and mentoring them. The loss of Danny has been felt deeply by many and he is sorely missed by everyone who felt his kindness. "We would like to thank the police and BRAKE - the road safety charity - for their hard work and support this past year."

Following the sentencing, Nottinghamshire Police collision investigator Georgina Luke, said: "In just a few short moments, a life was lost and it should not have been. "The devastation Longbottom caused by the manner of his driving is immeasurable and he will have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. "As Longbottom begins his sentence, I sincerely hope that other drivers will take note of the potential consequences of failing to pay due attention to the road ahead.

"Our thoughts remain with Danny's family, who have all been so brave throughout the investigation process after suffering such a devastating loss."