A lorry driver has been jailed for causing a fatal crash on the M6 in Cheshire that killed a 19-year-old stewardess. Daniel Barlow, 30, was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Friday, October 16, after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.
Chloe Williams, 19, was travelling to a concert in Manchester on the evening of Friday, December 2, 2022, when the Volkswagen Polo she was a passenger in was struck by the DAF truck Barlow was driving. The crash happened on the northbound carriageway between junctions 16 and 17, near Sandbach.
Crash details and investigation
The court heard that Barlow had just completed a round of deliveries in the Birmingham area. Due to heavy traffic, the Polo carrying Chloe came to a stop as it approached junction 17. Barlow, also driving in lane one, failed to react to the stationary traffic and collided with the rear of the car.
Analysis showed he had been travelling at a constant speed of 55mph and did not attempt to stop until 0.25-0.5 seconds before the collision, despite having a clear view of the traffic ahead. Prosecution evidence revealed that 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 restricted from the original trial showed that, while driving on the M6 prior to the collision, Barlow had interacted with his phone on several occasions, including logging on to a gambling website. Tachograph analysis confirmed he was driving the truck while doing so. He had also failed to notify the DVLA of notifiable medical conditions when applying for his HGV licence.
The impact caused serious injuries to all three occupants of the Polo. Chloe later died in hospital. The two other occupants, including her partner who was driving, sustained broken legs, a fractured skull, memory loss and long-lasting pain.
Sentencing and family statement
Barlow was supposed to be sentenced on Thursday, October 8, but failed to attend the hearing. The judge described his absence as an act of 'disrespect and cowardice'. He was found the next day at a friend's home in Lancashire by the Cheshire Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
In addition to the prison sentence, His Honour Judge Thompson handed Barlow a 10-year, 4-month driving disqualification with an extended retest.
Following 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.”
Inspector Andy Dennison, of the 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.”
