Neil Platt, a 43-year-old truck driver, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing a fatal accident that resulted in the death of a British father of two. The accident occurred in May 2024 on a major highway in Lancashire, approximately 40 minutes east of Liverpool. Platt was reportedly distracted by explicit content on his phone at the time of the crash.
The victim, Danni Aitchison, was driving a Hyundai Kona and was on the phone with his partner when Platt’s truck struck his vehicle. The impact caused Aitchison’s car to collide with a tanker, resulting in a fiery explosion. Aitchison, a married father of two, died instantly.
In court, it was revealed that Platt had been viewing explicit images on his phone moments before the collision. He had also been using various social media platforms, including WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok, during his three-hour drive from Scotland to Liverpool. Platt maintained that he had only checked his phone to monitor his travel time.
Judge Ian Unsworth KC delivered a scathing verdict, criticizing Platt’s “arrogant and selfish attitude to driving.” He noted that Platt had chosen to disregard road safety laws and prioritized his phone use over the safety of others on the road. The judge described Platt’s actions as “mind-blowingly stupid.”
Platt, a resident of Bootle, a town near Liverpool, had previously pleaded guilty to causing Aitchison’s death by dangerous driving. He will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody and will be prohibited from driving for seven years.
Aitchison’s partner, Kerry, shared her grief, stating that the sudden end of their phone call was the last time she heard from him. She described the difficulty of explaining the tragedy to their children. Aitchison’s daughter, Ella, remembered her father as a man who loved life and was devoted to his family.
Platt’s attorney, Stephen McNally, stated that his client was genuinely remorseful and deeply regretted the trauma he had caused. He emphasized the importance of undivided attention on the road, even for experienced drivers, to avoid devastating consequences.