Lorry driver who caused death of driver by checking phone given five-year jail sentence

David Shields, a recovery driver from Ayr, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after having pled guilty to causing the death of 66-year-old Yvonne Blackman.

The incident happened on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer road near to its junction with Lockerbie Road roundabout in Dumfries on 8 February last year.

The court heard that Mr Shields attention was repeatedly focused on the dash-mounted mobile in the cab of his lorry. Immediately before the collision his attention was again on the mobile and he failed to notice and react to the line of traffic ahead of him until it was too late.

Mr Shields’ lorry collided with the rear of Mrs Blackman’s car causing it to be propelled into the rear of another car before it was pushed on to the opposing carriageway where it was struck again by the lorry.

Ms Blackman, a missionary worker from Lockerbie, had been on her way to meet fellow volunteers when the incident happened. She suffered severe injuries and died in hospital on 22 February 2017.

Shields was also disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.

David Green, head of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, said: “David Shields’ dangerous driving has irrevocably damaged many lives and our thoughts go to the family of Yvonne Blackman.

“Driving while handling a mobile phone, in any context, is illegal and dangerous and can have the most serious of consequences.”