A man whose reckless decision to watch YouTube videos while driving ended in tragedy has been sentenced to nine years behind bars. Liam Ross, 25, was engrossed in music videos on his mobile phone when he veered into oncoming traffic, causing a fatal head-on collision.
The devastating crash on the A423 in Warwickshire claimed the life of 78-year-old Gerald Hicks, a beloved grandfather from Sutton Coldfield. Mr. Hicks was pronounced dead at the scene of the horrific incident, which occurred near the village of Princethorpe.
A Catastrophic Loss of Control
Warwick Crown Court heard how Ross's Volvo S60 inexplicably crossed solid white lines into the opposite carriageway. He collided directly with Mr. Hicks's Nissan Micra, giving the pensioner no chance to avoid the impending disaster.
Police investigators later confirmed that Ross's phone was actively streaming YouTube content at the exact time of the collision. This damning evidence painted a clear picture of a driver who had utterly abandoned his responsibility to pay attention to the road.
A Family's Agony and a Sentence Served
In a heartfelt victim impact statement, Mr. Hicks's family described the immense void his loss has created. They spoke of a kind-hearted man who was tragically robbed of his future by a moment of sheer negligence.
Liam Ross, of Walsall, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for ten years and four months.
This case serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the potentially fatal consequences of distracted driving. One momentary lapse in concentration can irrevocably shatter multiple lives forever.
