HGV driver sentenced after colliding with pedestrian in Congleton

A HGV driver from North Wales has been sentenced after he collided with a pedestrian in Congleton.

At around 1.40pm on Tuesday 17th December 2024, Glen Brady was driving a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) on the A527 Biddulph Road, towards Congleton.

As he approached the town, the 47-year-old became distracted by his satellite navigation system, causing him to swerve across the road, onto the opposite carriageway, before mounting the curb and driving onto the pavement where he collided with a 67-year-old pedestrian.

Despite being struck by the vehicle, the pedestrian, amazingly, came away from the ordeal with just minor injuries.

Following the collision, Brady, of Tan Y Briach, North Wales, was reported and appeared at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 June, where he would plead guilty to dangerous driving.

He was handed a 24-week sentence suspended for 12 months.

Brady has also been banned from driving for 18 months and must complete an extended driving test before he is allowed to get behind the wheel again.

Police Constable James Shrimpton, of the Constabulary’s Roads and Crime Team, said:

“I hope this case makes other motorists think very carefully about their actions behind the wheel and that they should be aware that when they get in a vehicle, they have the potential to cause real damage and even take a life. You have not only your life in your hands but other road users and this needs to be remembered every time you make that journey.

“The pedestrian involved in this collision was discharged the same day and was very lucky to come away with only minor injuries. Due to the nature of Glen Brady’s driving and the sheer size of the vehicle itself, we could have quite easily been dealing with a much more serious, or even fatal, injuries.

“We think of sat-nav’s as devices designed to assist us with our driving and whist it is true that they are very helpful in getting us from A to B, they can be a source of distraction – especially if you are unfamiliar with the area you’re driving in. If you find yourself lost or need to look over or reset your sat-nav, is always best to pull over in a safe location where you are not splitting your attention between the directions and the other road users and pedestrians around you.”