[A] FOOTBALL agent whose dangerous motorway driving killed one man and permanently paralysed another has been jailed for seven years.
Peter Morrison, 37, had been speeding and sending a string of phone WhatsApp messages minutes before losing control of his Mercedes ML 350 4×4 in “atrocious” weather conditions on the M6 near Tebay, Cumbria, on February 21, 2016.
Morrison’s vehicle swerved “violently” off the southbound carriageway, across the hard shoulder and rebounded off a rock before ploughing into two highways workers who were stood watching the recovery of two previously-crashed vehicles.
Adam Gibb, a 51-year-old married dad from Penrith, Cumbria, was killed while his colleague, Paul Holroyd, of Kirkby Stephen, also Cumbria, suffered life-changing injuries. Mr Holroyd, now aged 53, was left permanently paralysed from the chest down.
Contributing factors to the fatal collision were Morrison driving at an inappropriate speed for the wet and windy driving conditions, Morrison using his mobile phone to send messages via WhatsApp whilst driving and a defective tyre which did not have the required tread to be road legal.
The court heard how Highways England officers Adam Gibb and Paul Holroyd were at the scene following an earlier collision on the same stretch of road involving a car and a van. The Highways officers were joined by police officers and paramedics.
Once the carriageway had been cleared, police and paramedics left the scene whilst Mr Gibb and Mr Holroyd awaited the arrival of the recovery vehicle.
The recovery arrived at 11.42am and the two vehicles were prepared to be moved.
At shortly before 12.10pm Peter Morrison lost control of his Mercedes-Benz ML350. The car travelled across all three lanes before colliding with Mr Gibb and Mr Holroyd. Mr Gibb was knocked into the air and died at the scene. Mr Holroyd suffered life-changing injuries in the collision including breaking his back in three places.
The court heard from witnesses who described the conditions on the road as being poor with heavy rain and wind. There were signs on the road leading to the collision spot warning drivers of a 50mph advisory speed limit and signs alerting drivers to the previous collision.
However, witnesses described being passed at speed by Morrison’s car which numerous witnesses described as travelling too fast for the conditions.
In his police interview, Morrison refused to answer questions about the collision but read from a pre-prepared statement. In the statement he denied driving at excessive speed and expressed surprise that his tyre tread was low.
With regards his use of a mobile phone prior to the collision, Morrison’s statement said: “I accept the mobile phone analysis shows I was both sending and receiving messages on my phone prior to the accident. However, I do not accept any suggestion that I was distracted at the time of the collision and I do not accept the use of my mobile phone caused or contributed to this tragic accident.”
Inspector Jo Fawcett said: “Morrison’s driving manner showed reckless disregard for the safety of other road users which has resulted in Mr Gibb losing his life and Mr Holroyd suffering horrendous injuries which will impact on the rest of his life.
“Morrison’s decision to drive at an inappropriate speed for the road conditions, whilst using a mobile phone no less, have directly led to this tragic outcome.
“Our thoughts remain with our Highways England Traffic Officer colleagues and their families. Adam Gibb lost his life and Paul Holroyd is permanently paralysed.
“The families of both men will have to suffer the tragic consequences of Morrison’s absolute disregard for other road users for the rest of their lives whilst our partners at Highways England have lost two dedicated Traffic Officers.”
As well as the prison sentence, Morrison was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
Following released on behalf of Paul Holroyd:
Twenty three months has passed since I was involved in the life-changing collision on the 21st February 2016 on the M6 motorway at Tebay.
During my career as a Highways England traffic officer I have attended many road traffic collisions and feel sure that the frequency of these incidents increases during adverse weather conditions.
I am also sure that there are other contributing factors some of which will be the use of mobile phones whilst driving.
I accept the fact that when Mr Morrison started his journey on that fateful morning that he could not envisage the tragic events that would follow.
Today justice has been served on Mr Morrison but this will not mitigate the pain and suffering that his actions have caused with the loss of life of my friend and colleague Adam Gibb, my substantial life-changing injuries that have subjected me to a life in a wheelchair and the pain, suffering, worry and stress not only to Adam and my families and friends but also his own family.
There are so many innocent people whose lives have changed forever as a result of Mr Morrison’s actions that day.
I would urge everybody to take more care whilst driving, especially when using the motorways.
And to not under any circumstance be tempted to use a mobile phone whilst driving.
As this case has proved, lives can change forever in the blink of an eye.
Paul Holroyd
(Former Highways England Officer)