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Fatal crash driver 'used laptop' Fatal crash driver 'used laptop'
(20 minutes later)
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.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.
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, of Llandudno, north Wales, and their four children died in the crash on the M6 in Sandbach, Cheshire, in October.
Portuguese driver Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, denies six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.Portuguese driver Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, denies six counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Mr da Silva also denies causing six deaths by careless driving.Mr da Silva also denies causing six deaths by careless driving.
Earlier accident
The court heard the Statham family were killed instantly when his 40-tonne lorry hit their Toyota Previa people carrier.The court heard the Statham family were killed instantly when his 40-tonne lorry hit their Toyota Previa people carrier.
Earlier crash
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.
The Statham family were returning from visiting relatives in BirminghamThe Statham family were returning from visiting relatives in Birmingham
The family had moved to Llandudno four years ago from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. The Toyota was at the back of a queue caused by an earlier accident on the motorway.
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 it was alleged the lorry driver was using a global positioning system on his laptop computer to work out an alternative route, because the first crash had shut the motorway.
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 said Mr da Silva had denied using the laptop while driving, but police found it was by the driver's seat with the screen turned to face the driver.
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."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. He said Mr da Silva had not seen the queuing traffic ahead because he was not paying attention.
"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.
"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 Andrew Thomas QC
"For over a mile before the point of impact the defendant was not paying proper attention to the road. It was gross inattention," he said.
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.
Mrs Statham, a 33-year-old financial adviser, was driving.
The family had moved to Llandudno four years ago from Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.
Mr da Silva was transporting fruit juice from Murcia, Spain, - where he lives - to a Morrison's distribution centre in Northwich, Cheshire.
The trial continues.The trial continues.