Court told North-East lorry driver ploughed into car, killing girl, four (From The Northern Echo)

Robert Booth, of Town End Farm, Sunderland denies death by dangerous driving

6:39pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

A NORTH-East lorry driver, accused of causing the death of a four-year-old girl by dangerous driving, ploughed into the back of her parents' car after ignoring motorway warning signs, a court has heard.

Robert Booth, 64, was travelling at 55mph despite obvious signs displaying a 40mph limit seconds before he smashed into a line of slowing and stationary traffic, Warwick Crown Court was told.

Priyanka Bhogal, from Coventry, died in hospital from a head injury after the accident on the M6 near Coleshill, Warwickshire, in the early hours of November 27, 2011.

Opening the Crown's case against Mr Booth, from Brockley Street, Town End Farm, Sunderland, prosecutor Nigel Wilkins said the accident happened shortly after another incident at junction four of the M6.

Priyanka was travelling in the rear-most nearside seat of a Vauxhall Zafira being driven by her mother, Baljit.

Mr Wilkins told the court the fatal impact occurred at around 12.25am, shortly after Mrs Bhogal switched on her hazard lights because of the problems ahead of her.

The prosecutor said: "As she looked behind her, as she slowed down, she became aware of what we now know was the defendants lorry, coming from behind with its headlights on.

Mrs Bhogal was then aware of a noise - she described it as screeching of either a horn or the screeching of brakes, and the lorry then collided with the Zafira with tragic consequences.

Tachograph records showed Mr Booth's vehicle was travelling at 55mph - and did not start to slow until six seconds before it came to a standstill.

Mr Booth denies causing Priyanka's death by dangerous driving and the trial resumes tomorrow. (Thursday, January 7)

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