A man who was driving at 90mph after a shoplifting spree and killed a lorry driver in a high-speed crash has been sentenced to over nine years in prison.
Ross Neiland, 38, caused the tragic death of 36-year-old Michal Kaminski on February 21 last year.
The deadly collision occurred on the M27 motorway in Hampshire, when Neiland, who was under the influence of cocaine, lost control of his car while driving recklessly in heavy rain.
Reckless Driving and Poor Conditions Lead to Fatal Crash
Before the crash, Neiland had been on a stealing spree with accomplices, having stolen items from an Aldi supermarket and a golf store.
He was driving without insurance or a valid license and was speeding at over 93mph when he lost control of his car after hitting a patch of standing water.
Neiland’s reckless driving was noticed by other motorists, who described him as “showing off” and “zooming” down the road, disregarding the poor weather conditions.
The Tragic Moment: Michal Kaminski’s Death
Neiland’s car crashed into a Nissan Juke, which then collided with the HGV driven by Kaminski.
The force of the crash sent the lorry into a gantry, killing Kaminski instantly.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Neiland focused on unloading stolen goods from his vehicle, rather than checking on the victim.
When witnesses tried to restrain him as he attempted to flee the scene, Neiland acted aggressively, spitting and being verbally abusive.
The Victim’s Family and Emotional Impact
In court, Kaminski’s mother gave an emotional statement, saying that the loss of her son had destroyed her family.
She expressed the heart-wrenching pain of never being able to hug her son again and the overwhelming longing for him.
Kaminski was described by those who knew him as a responsible, kind man who always wanted to help others.
Neiland’s Guilt and Sentence
Neiland, who admitted to the charges of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and a license, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis, was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison.
During the trial, Neiland’s lawyer claimed that he had been suffering from regular flashbacks to the accident and deeply regretted his actions, though the judge noted that the death of Kaminski was entirely preventable.
Judge Peter Henry condemned Neiland for his reckless actions, which led to an “utterly avoidable” death.
He emphasized the tragedy for Kaminski’s family and made it clear that Neiland had shown little regard for others’ safety.
The judge also pointed out that the accident, caused by Neiland’s excessive speed and dangerous driving, was “almost inevitable.”
Community Impact and Motorway Shutdown
The crash forced authorities to shut down a 15-mile stretch of the M27 for over a day, creating significant disruption.
Neiland’s sentence serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and the tragic loss of life caused by careless behavior on the roads.
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