Lorry Driver's Dangerous Decision Leads to Serious Crash
A professional lorry driver caused a significant collision on a Flintshire road after choosing to drive with severely restricted visibility. Christopher Tribe, 57, from Buckley, continued his journey despite his windscreen being completely misted up, relying on only a tiny clear patch to see the road ahead.
The Moment of Impact
The incident occurred in Sandycroft, Flintshire, when Tribe's heavy goods vehicle, loaded with adhesive glue, ploughed headfirst into stationary traffic. His own dash-cam captured the dramatic moment of collision, showing the driver's body shaking violently upon impact and him swearing repeatedly in shock.
The force of the crash sent a minivan nose-down into a roadside ditch and caused damage to several other vehicles. The lorry's cargo of glue spilled across the roadway following the collision, creating additional hazards for emergency services.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Mold Magistrates Court, prosecutor James Ashton stated that Tribe had 'poor visibility due to his misted up windscreen'. The court heard that although low sun contributed to difficult driving conditions, this did not excuse the defendant's dangerous behaviour.
Evidence revealed that Tribe had previously used his mobile phone during the journey, though he wasn't actively using it at the moment of the crash. Defence representative Patrick Geddes acknowledged his client's remorse, stating: 'He's fully aware this could have resulted in serious injury - or worse.'
Magistrates chair Lucy Bureau described the incident as 'fairly horrific' before handing down a 36-week suspended prison sentence and an 18-month driving ban to Tribe.
