Anthony Yates
An HGV driver faces 10 years behind bars after he reportedly struck a vehicle on the motorway, fatally injuring the driver. Investigators allege he was scrolling through social media pages on his phone at the time.
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What happened: According to a news release by the UK Lancashire Police, the incident occurred on May 17, 2024. A court sentenced Neil Platt, the HGV driver, on September 19, 2025.
- Authorities explain that Danny Aitchison was driving a Hyundai Kona on the M58 motorway near Skelmersdale. He used a hands-free device to speak to his partner when the call “cut off abruptly.”
- Traffic on the M58 had reportedly slowed to a complete stop before the collision. The news release claims that Platt drove his HGV into the back of Aitchison’s vehicle, killing him instantly. Officials note that Aitchison, who had a 15-year-old daughter, was stationary for “around a minute” before the crash.
- Investigators determined that Platt was traveling at 54 MPH before he struck Aitchison’s car. He only activated his brakes within 35 meters of the Hyundai. Lancashire Police reveal that the force of the impact pushed Aitchison’s vehicle into the back of another stationary HGV before it caught fire.
Authorities Say The HGV Driver Lied About His Phone Usage Inside The Vehicle
The news release claims that Platt told authorities he “never touched his phone.” However, footage recorded inside his truck cabin revealed a different order of events.
- Police say Platt was scrolling on “a number of social media applications”. He was reportedly using X on his phone seconds before the crash.
- The HGV driver told investigators he only checked his phone for his journey time and sat nav. Investigators discovered he had used WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and X during the trip, and footage reportedly shows Platt touching his phone in a holder on his dashboard. “He only looked up at the road ahead fleetingly for the 45 seconds that he was interacting with his phone,” the news release explains.
- Per LBC, Judge Ian Unsworth KC said, “The blunt reality is you traveled well over 100 miles in what was sometimes a highly distracted state.” The outlet also notes that adult photographs appeared on Platt’s X feed before the impact.
Prosecutors charged Platt with death by dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for 13 years and 8 months.
