A truck driver in the U.K. who scrolled through explicit material on his phone moments before a deadly crash has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Neil Platt, 43, was heavily distracted by his smartphone while driving on the M58 in Lancashire when he caused a devastating crash that claimed the life of 46-year-old Danni Aitchison, a devoted father of two, as the New York Post reports.

The incident occurred in May 2024 on the M58 motorway, located about 40 minutes east of Liverpool. Platt was behind the wheel of a large lorry when he failed to notice slowing traffic in time and slammed into a Hyundai Kona being driven by Aitchison. The collision forced the Hyundai into the rear of a tanker, causing the car to ignite upon impact.

Aitchison, who was on a hands-free phone call with his partner at the time, died at the scene. He had been returning home to his partner Kerry and their children, making what was supposed to be a routine drive into a nightmare for his family.

Authorities later discovered that Platt had been using his phone throughout his three-hour trip from Scotland to Liverpool. His activity included frequent browsing of apps such as WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), where naked images were viewed just seconds before the collision.

Judge condemns driver for ‘arrogant’ conduct

Platt, who wore an orange safety vest and purple shirt during the crash investigation, was photographed sitting in his cab with his head in his hands after the wreck. But details uncovered during the investigation pointed to his careless and persistent phone use as a longstanding pattern during his journey.

During the court proceedings, Judge Ian Unsworth KC delivered fierce criticism of Platt’s actions behind the wheel. “Your arrogant and selfish attitude to driving was quite breathtaking,” said Judge Unsworth.

The judge added: “You willingly and without any excuse chose to ignore the laws of the road.” He described Platt as a “multi-ton accident waiting to happen,” stressing that he had prioritized distraction over duty, with catastrophic consequences.

Victim remembered as loving father, partner

Danni Aitchison was remembered by his loved ones as a devoted family man. His daughter Ella described him as “a good man driven by family and a pure love of life.” The emotional weight of the tragedy was especially heavy for his partner Kerry, who was speaking with Aitchison during the crash.

“He was just coming home to me and the kids,” Kerry said in court, describing the moment that changed everything. “Their hero has gone. Telling the kids is and always will be the hardest thing I will do in my lifetime.”

The court also heard that while there was no definitive proof Platt had intentionally searched for explicit content, his refusal to prioritize road safety over social media was evident. Prosecutors emphasized that despite being an experienced trucker, Platt had treated his drive like a personal entertainment session.

Attorney highlights dangers of distracted driving

Platt’s defense attorney, Stephen McNally, did not contest the severity of the case. He stated that his client was genuinely remorseful and hated himself for what had happened. McNally acknowledged Platt’s fatal mistake, saying, “Even for the most experienced of drivers, not giving the road your undivided attention and concentration can have the most devastating consequences.”

Platt initially claimed to have only glanced at his phone to check journey details, but ultimately pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. On Friday, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds before being eligible for release.

In addition, Platt will be banned from driving for seven years upon release—a measure intended to prevent similar tragedies from reoccurring on public roads.

Lessons to learn

There are essential takeaways from this heartbreaking event that should inspire all drivers and commuters to prioritize safety at all times:

1. Phones can be deadly distractions. Even when placed in a cradle or dashboard mount, the presence of visual distractions such as social media or videos can be lethal. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road and their focus entirely on driving.

2. Experience does not guarantee safety. Platt had years of experience behind the wheel, yet this did not prevent him from making negligent decisions. All drivers, regardless of their expertise, are susceptible to lapses in judgment when overconfident or distracted.

3. Victims are never to blame. While we can learn from tragic events to take precautions, it's important to remember that individuals like Danni Aitchison were simply living their lives. No precautions taken by others can control another person’s negligence. Victims must be honored rather than blamed.

Why this story matters

This crash serves as a grim reminder of how digital distractions behind the wheel can lead to irreversible consequences. For communities across the UK and beyond, it underscores the urgent need to enforce stricter regulations on smartphone use while driving. Lives like Danni Aitchison’s should not be lost in vain.

Raising public awareness about driver distraction is critical in saving lives and changing the culture around road safety. Stories such as this emphasize that complacency can have deadly costs.