HGV crash driver was over drug limit

An HGV driver who was involved in fatal collision in Northumberland was found to be over the limit for drugs.

Whilst it was stressed in court that the driver didn't cause the accident, which killed a 20-year-old male, and did what he could to avoid it, a drugs swipe later revealed that the 32-year-old had Benzoylecgonine (BZE), a breakdown product of cocaine, in his system.

Newcastle Magistrates’ Court was told that the crash happened on the crossroads junction of the B6309 and Lead Road, near Stocksfield on February 2 this year and involved the drivers Renault Recovery Truck and a Mazda 6. Emergency services attended and the driver of the car was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Police launched an investigation and, although the HGV driver didn't cause the accident, he was over the limit for BZE. It was also discovered that he had been using his mobile phone while driving earlier in his journey.

He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from the roads for two years after he pleaded guilty to driving over the specified drug limit and using a mobile phone while driving.

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