Lorry Driver Jailed 10 Years for Porn-Distraction Fatal Crash on M58

Neil Platt, a 43-year-old HGV driver, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing the death of Danny Aitchison, a father of two, in a motorway crash on the M58 near Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Platt was found to be heavily distracted, repeatedly viewing pornography and other content on his phone over a three-hour journey, including moments before crashing into Aitchison's stationary car, which was then pushed into a tanker and exploded. The court heard Platt's behavior was not a one-off lapse but a persistent distraction during the drive, with footage showing him scrolling through apps like X, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Judge Ian Unsworth described Platt's attitude as "arrogant and selfish," calling him a "multi-tonne accident waiting to happen." Platt will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody and face a seven-year driving ban upon release. The tragic incident highlighted the severe consequences of distracted driving and the judge emphasized Platt's blatant disregard for road safety laws.