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Lorry driver denies six M6 deaths Fatal crash driver 'used laptop'
(9 minutes later)
A lorry driver accused of causing the deaths of a family of six by dangerous driving on the M6 has entered a plea of not guilty at Chester Crown Court. A family of six were killed by a lorry driver who might have been using a laptop computer as he drove along a motorway, a court heard.
Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, from Portugal, is accused over his role in the crash near Sandbach in Cheshire. David and Michelle Statham, of Llandudno, north Wales, and their four children died in the crash on the M6 in Sandbach, Cheshire, in October.
David and Michelle Statham and their children, Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months and Ellouise, 10 weeks, died. Portuguese driver Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, denies six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The Stathams, of Llandudno, Conwy, were killed on 20 October as they went home after visiting family in Birmingham. Mr da Silva also denies causing six deaths by careless driving.
Mr da Silva faces six charges of causing death by dangerous driving and six alternative charges of causing death by careless driving. The court heard the Statham family were killed instantly when his 40-tonne lorry hit their Toyota Previa people carrier.
Helped by an interpreter, Mr da Silva, who lives in Murcia, Spain, entered not guilty pleas to all 12 counts. Earlier crash
The Stathams' silver people carrier burst into flames in a five-vehicle crash between junctions 16 and 17 on the northbound carriageway of the motorway. Mr and Mrs Statham, their sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, and Mason, 20 months, and 10-week-old daughter Ellouise - were travelling back to Llandudno from Birmingham, where they had been visiting Mrs Statham's parents.
Chef Mr Statham, 38, and his 33-year-old wife had been together for 19 years. The Statham family were returning from visiting relatives in Birmingham
The family had moved to Llandudno four years ago from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Mrs Statham, a 33-year-old financial adviser, was driving and stopped their people carrier at the end of a queue of traffic on the northbound carriageway, caused by an earlier fatal crash.
Andrew Thomas QC, prosecuting, said the lorry driven by Mr da Silva crashed into the back of the car, crushing it between his truck and a lorry in front.
He added "(Mr da Silva) had not seen the queuing traffic ahead because he was not paying attention to his driving."
He added that Mr da Silva "knew full well" there was a queue ahead because of warnings on electronic signs on the motorway.
He said: "If he had looked he would have seen the queuing traffic for himself because the road was straight for over a mile before the queue started.
For over a mile before the point of impact the defendant was not paying proper attention to the road - it was gross inattention Andrew Thomas QC
"He had plenty of time to see the queue because the trucks in front had been there for between one and two minutes before he arrived.
"For over a mile before the point of impact the defendant was not paying proper attention to the road. It was gross inattention."
Mr da Silva was taking fruit juice from Murcia, Spain, - where he lives - to a Morrison's distribution centre in Northwich, Cheshire.
Mr Thomas said it was alleged the lorry driver was using a global positioning system on his laptop computer to work out an alternative route, because the earlier crash had shut the motorway.
He said Mr da Silva had denied using the laptop while driving, but police who searched his cab found it was by the driver's seat with the screen turned to face the driver.
Mr Thomas told the jury: "You will have to consider whether the defendant has told the truth."
He said the defendant had not failed a drink-drive test and there were no mechanical faults with his truck.
The trial continues.