A HGV driver who accessed a gambling website on his phone before killing a teenager in a motorway collision has been jailed. Daniel Barlow appeared at Chester Crown Court today (October 16), where he was sentenced to eight years and four months for causing death by dangerous driving, and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Failed to attend original hearing
The 30-year-old of Railway Close, Facit, Lancashire, was originally due to be sentenced on Thursday 8 October, but he failed to attend the hearing. He was later arrested in the early hours of Friday October 9 when officers from the Cheshire Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit located him hiding at a friend's address in Lancashire.
His Honour Judge Thompson also handed Barlow a 10 year and four months disqualification with an extended retest. In sentencing he stated Barlow's driving clearly represented a significant danger to others. In sentencing Barlow for failing to appear to his previous sentencing hearing, Judge Thompson called it the ultimate act of disrespect and cowardice.
Crash on the M6
The court heard on the evening of Friday December 2, 2022, Barlow was driving a white DAF truck on the northbound carriageway of the M6 between junction 16 and 17, after completing a number of deliveries in the Birmingham area. At the same time, Chloe Williams, 19, was one of two passengers in a grey Volkswagen Polo which was being driven by her partner. The trio were travelling to a concert in Manchester.
As they approached junction 17 for Sandbach, the Polo came to a stop in lane one due to heavy traffic. Barlow was also driving in lane one, but he failed to react to the stationary traffic in time and collided with the rear of the VW Polo.
Subsequent analysis showed that he had been travelling at a constant speed of 55mph along the carriageway and did not attempt to stop until 0.25-0.5 seconds before the collision, despite having a clear view of the traffic ahead. Evidence from the prosecution showed Barlow had a view of the stationary traffic for at least 11.5 seconds which he completely failed to react to.
Phone use and medical conditions
Evidence that was restricted from the original trial showed, whilst driving along the M6 prior to the collision, Barlow had interacted with his phone on several occasions, including logging on to a gambling website on his phone. Tachograph analysis showed that he was driving the DAF truck whilst doing so. Barlow had also failed to notify the DVLA of notifiable medical conditions when applying for his HGV licence.
The impact of the collision caused serious injuries to the occupants of the VW Polo, and they were all taken to hospital, where Chloe died a short time later. The two other occupants of the Polo both sustained a number of serious injuries, including broken legs and a fractured skull. Their injuries have led to life changing consequences for both men, including memory loss and long-lasting pain.
Family's statement
Following the sentencing, Chloe's family said: "Since Chloe's death, we have not had to live through the loss of her just once; we have had to live through it again and again. We have endured three trials, and each one has forced us back to the worst day of our lives."
"Daniel Barlow's continued denial prolonged the court process and caused further pain, anger and upset to our whole family. The trials may now be over but for our family, the loss of Chloe will never be over. No verdict can bring Chloe back and no sentence can give us back the time we have lost with her. We are grateful to the jury who listened to the facts and found him guilty of causing Chloe's death by dangerous driving."
"His final refusal to attend court for his scheduled sentencing showed just how little regard he holds for anyone but himself. We would give anything to have more time with Chloe, to hear her voice, see her smile, hold her and simply have her here with us. Instead, we have to carry the pain of losing her for the rest of our lives, the impact of that loss will never leave us. We will never stop loving her, we will never stop missing her and we will always be left wondering about the life she should have lived."
Inspector Andy Dennison, of Cheshire Constabulary's Serious and Complex Collision Investigation unit, said: "This has been a long and complex investigation, throughout which Chloe's family have acted with integrity and dignity. Barlow meanwhile has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions, and no regards for the impact on Chloe's family and friends."
"Despite the evidence against him, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, resulting in Chloe's family having to relive their experiences in court on several occasions. Even after he was found guilty, he showed total disregard for the family by failing to attend his own sentencing hearing. While the sentence handed to Barlow will not bring back Chloe, I hope that it provides her family with some closure."
