Lorry driver ‘took eyes off road for four seconds’ and killed dad who had broken down

Colin Longbottom, 63, has been jailed for killing Daniel Loft

13:25, 15 Feb 2026

Daniel Loft

A lorry driver who killed a dad when he took his eyes off the road for 'four seconds' has been jailed.

Colin Longbottom was behind the wheel of a lorry when he crashed into Daniel Loft's flatbed truck which had broken down on a Midlands road.

The 63-year-old had been using a built-in touch screen to turn off his fog lights just moments before the fatal collision.

Dad-of-two Mr Loft, known as Danny, was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries and remained in intensive care for more than three weeks.

But he suffered injuries he could not survive and died.

Longbottom, of Woodhouse Road, Wakefield, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

He was jailed for four years and five months and handed a five year driving ban on Tuesday, February 10.

Sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court, 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 December 12, 2024, as have the lives of those who loved Danny Loft."

The court heard how Mr Loft, from Bingham, had just left his truck via the passenger's side door when he was struck by his vehicle on the A46 northbound near East Bridgford on December 12, 2024.

He was taken to Queen's Medical Centre and treated in intensive care for 18 days.

But his injuries were not survivable and he died on December 3, 2024.

Internal CCTV in the cab captured Longbottom looking down for 'prolonged periods' and 'taking intermittent glances' at the road ahead, police said.

The court heard his eyes were off the road for about four seconds before the collision.

During a police interview, Longbottom told officers he had been using the touch screen to turn off his fog lights.

But he accepted his driving fell far below the standards of a competent driver.

Longbottom's mobile phone was examined, with officers finding that he had been using the device while driving a few minutes before the crash.

Collision investigators found he had been sending Facebook messages and making calls which were not completed by voice activation - but he was not using his phone at the time of the collision.

Paying tribute to him, Danny'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."

Collision investigator Georgina Luke, of Nottinghamshire Police, 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."

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