A lorry driver has been banned from driving after crashing his vehicle, which was carrying a load of glue, into a minivan and other cars in Flintshire, north Wales. Christopher Tribe, 57, failed to demist his windscreen before setting off, leading to limited visibility.
The incident occurred on the B5129 at Sandycroft on December 3 last year. Dashcam footage from Tribe's HGV showed him peering through a small gap in the misted windscreen as he struck the vehicle in front. The impact smashed his windscreen, knocked the minivan into a ditch, and damaged other cars, with some glue spilling onto the road.
Prosecutor James Ashton told Mold Magistrates Court that Tribe had 'poor visibility due to his misted up windscreen.' The court also heard that the low sun contributed to difficult driving conditions. There were no serious injuries, but the minibus driver and passenger, as well as another car driver, sustained bruises.
Patrick Geddes, defending, stated that Tribe was 'clearly remorseful' and acknowledged the potential for serious injury. Magistrates chair Lucy Bureau described it as 'a fairly horrific incident.' Tribe, of Buckley, received a 36-week suspended sentence and an 18-month driving ban.
