A HGV driver who smashed into a stationary police car into oncoming traffic on a major south Essex road has been handed a large fine.
Three roads policing officers attended the A13 London-bound between Stanford-le-Hope interchange and Orsett Cock roundabout after a BMW had broken down on Sunday, June 11.
Upon their arrival, they placed the police car in a “fend off” position in lane one with its blue lights flashing, about 35 metres away from the breakdown, while they spoke to the occupants of the BMW.
The car could not easily be moved, so police moved everyone behind the barrier at the side of the road to await recovery.
Within minutes, a loud bang was heard, and officers turned around to find a HGV had crashed into the Vauxhall Astra police car.
The impact had pushed the marked police car across the carriageway coming to rest at the central reservation barrier, now facing the oncoming traffic.
Because of the serious damage, the police car had to be recovered and the road closed completely to all other motorists.
Investigating officers concluded that the HGV had decelerated from almost 29mph to 0mph in just three seconds.
David Boca, of Torworth Road, Borehamwood, admitted careless driving when he attended Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 13, where he was handed nine penalty points.
The 62-year-old was also fined £733 and ordered to pay costs.
Essex Police’s head of roads policing, Mr Adam Pipe, said: “Thankfully, no one was injured that day. It doesn’t bear thinking about if someone had been struck by the lorry instead of the car.
“Roads policing officers’ role is to ensure the safety of the roads in Essex, identify offenders who break the law and who drive in a manner that threatens the safety of others.
“This collision was completely avoidable.
“A police car was positioned as both a warning and a means of creating a safety barrier between moving traffic and the breakdown, so as to prevent an incident.
“Drivers who don’t follow instructions or remain unaware of their surroundings risk putting everyone, including, themselves in danger too.
“Every day we take emergency calls from the public who need our help: a police vehicle is a very important resource in helping us fight crime.”
The liveried police car was scrapped.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel