A lorry driver caused the death of a mother pushing her child in a pram on the pavement after he failed to secure a crane on the vehicle he was driving.
Kevin Miller has now been jailed for 13 months following the incident in a Cambridgeshire village in September 2022, during which his log grab crane swung out and struck Rebecca Ableman.
Miller, 71, was driving the scrap metal lorry through Willingham when his vehicle’s crane hit the 30-year-old mother who was with her two-year-old daughter.
She was left seriously injured and died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital the following month.
Her daughter was uninjured.
Miller, who had picked up scrap metal in Leigh-on-Sea, didn’t stop at the time and continued to a Network Rail site in March, where the metal was unloaded.
Cambridgeshire police said he did eventually stop three miles down the road near Earith Bridge to check the load and re-secure the grabber crane.
He was arrested later that day at a depot in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
An investigation found he had failed to secure the crane and grab whilst in transit and because it wasn’t secured, it moved from its transport position and hung over the side of the trailer.
Miller pleaded guilty to causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving at Peterborough Crown Court and as well as his sentence he was also banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.
Detective Constable Kev Drury said: “This was a shocking incident where an innocent young mum, who was walking with her daughter following a visit to a farm shop, was killed because of Miller’s carelessness in not securing the crane properly.
“I hope this case serves as a reminder to all professional drivers to make sure their loads and equipment are fully secured. Rebecca would be alive today had Miller done this.
“I would also like to thank the passers-by who went to help Rebecca in the aftermath of the collision despite the traumatic scene.
“My thoughts continue to be with her family and friends as they continue to grieve.”
Ableman’s family released a tribute following her death, which described her as “the light within our family”.
The family said she was: “a beautiful partner, an aspiring sister and a precious daughter.
“She was the most loving, caring and supportive partner you could ever wish for, she was always the light at the darkest of times.
“But most of all, she was the most amazing, strong, and loving mummy to her two-year-old daughter.
“Becky’s independence, kindness, determination, and beauty will live on through her forever. She will always be her daughter’s superhero. We cherish every moment and memory we had together.”
