Newly qualified HGV driver killed motorcyclist in illegal manoeuvre

Matthew Wright had been driving an Amazon Prime lorry along the A617 in July 2023 when he moved into the far left lane of four lanes before turning right at a crossroads – a manoeuvre that saw him cut across lanes two and three, which were for traffic going straight ahead.

By cutting across these lanes to complete the illegal manoeuvre, Wright caused 61-year-old Nigel Osler to crash into the front offside wheel of his lorry.

He was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham where the married dad-of-two died later that day.

Following an investigation Wright was charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 3 October.

The court heard Wright had only been a licenced HGV driver for 55 days at the time of the collision and that this was his first criminal conviction.

His defence counsel said he performed the manoeuvre as he “genuinely believed it was safe to do so” and that he “does not in any way underestimate the profound consequences of his actions that day.”

Nottinghamshire police said they believed the manoeuvre was carried out because Wright was attempting to complete a U-turn.

Jailing Wright, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC said cases such as this were “one of the hardest” to pass sentence on, acknowledging he had not set out to kill Osler that morning.

He said: “In just a few short minutes, or even not that long, a life was lost and it should not have been. The devastation you caused is immeasurable and of course your life has changed also.

“No sentence I can pass will have any meaning for the family. It doesn’t matter how long the sentence is – I can’t give back what they want and that’s him.”

Wright was further disqualified from driving for five years after his release from prison.

Collision investigator Georgina Luke of Nottinghamshire Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said:

“This was an utterly tragic incident that robbed a family of a much-loved husband, dad, grandad and brother.

“Wright’s manner of driving was extremely dangerous and ultimately cost Mr Osler his life.

“As Wright begins his sentence, I sincerely hope that other drivers will take note of the potential consequences of driving dangerously and be more considerate around other road users by ensuring they have passed you safely before making manoeuvres which could put their lives at risk.”