Man who looked at phone during fatal M20 crash given 11 year prison sentence
A man who was looking at his phone seconds before he crashed into a stationary car, killing the driver, on the M20 in Kent has been sentenced.
Tomisa, of Vidovec in Croatia, was previously charged with causing death by dangerous driving and pleaded guilty.
This month, he was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 11 years in prison for his role in the death of 36-year-old Arran McManus. Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Following the sentencing, Kent Police officers have said McManus' death was "completely avoidable", as Tomisa, the lorry driver "clearly wasn't paying attention".
On the morning of Tuesday, November 25, 2025, emergency services were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving three vehicles on the London bound carriageway of the M20, between junctions 8 and 9 near Lenham.
A white lorry had hit a black Nissan Qashqai and a white Scania articulated lorry which were both in standstill traffic due to an earlier, unrelated collision further up on the M20.
Arran McManus, 36, was confirmed to be deceased at the scene -Credit:Kent Police
The driver of the Nissan, Arran McManus, 36, died at the scene. Tomisa, the driver of the white lorry, was taken to hospital with serious injuries before being arrested.
The third driver, of the Scania lorry, was uninjured. Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Dashcam footage and witnesses indicated to investigating officers that prior to the crash Tomisa, 58, had ignored a 50mph sign, hazard light warnings on other vehicles and had failed to notice traffic coming to a stop, as he continued on the motorway at speed.
He began braking a second before the collision. An examination of Tomisa's phone revealed he had been messaging and video calling multiple people before the crash as he made his way from Dover.
Tomisa, of Vidovec in Croatia, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and pleaded guilty on April 9, 2026.
On Monday, May 18 2026, he was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 11 years in prison, also being disqualified from driving for 14 years and four months.
Following the sentencing, Mr McManus' partner spoke on the impact his death had: "As a family, we'd like to thank the multiple members of public and emergency services who went to help Arran on the motorway.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement
"Life with Arran was full of energy, he was clever, witty, ambitious, always pushing himself, always making us laugh. Even mundane moments like shopping in Tesco or cleaning the house were fun with him.
"He was one of the good ones for sure. Arran's death has shattered our family.
We have lost a loving partner, a devoted dad, an active mentor, and a central figure in our community.
"The emotional trauma, the unanswered questions, and the permanent absence we now face cannot be measured. Our lives have changed forever."
Also speaking after Tomisa's conviction was Kent Police Chief Inspector Craig West, who said: "Arran McManus' death was completely avoidable. He was on his way to work and got caught in traffic on the M20, yet the actions of Zvonko Tomisa meant he never made it.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement
"Mr McManus was a huge part of the Ashford community and his death has had a devastating impact.
I'd like to thank Mr McManus' family and loved ones for their support throughout our investigation.
"They have been put through a horrific ordeal and I hope they find some closure in today's verdict.
"Tomisa has never offered an explanation to what happened that morning but he clearly wasn't paying attention to the road in front of him.
"If anything good can come from this tragic incident, I hope it's that people look at Mr McManus' death and realise the detrimental impacts that can be caused by using a phone whilst driving.
"We have a zero tolerance policy for this at Kent Police, and will do everything we can to ensure no other family has to go through what Mr McManus' family is having to endure."