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A van driver has received a suspended sentence for causing the death of a passenger in a crash on a malfunctioning smart motorway. Barry O’Sullivan was operating his work vehicle on the M4 in Berkshire when he collided with a Nissan Micra that had broken down. The Micra, which contained 68-year-old Pulvinder Dhillon as a passenger, caught fire following the impact. Dhillon’s daughter, who had been driving the car, escaped the scene, but despite the efforts of other motorists to assist, Dhillon later died from her injuries.
At Reading Crown Court, O’Sullivan, aged 45, was found guilty of causing death by careless driving. He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was disqualified from driving for one year. Prosecutors argued that any competent driver should have been able to avoid the stranded car, which had been stationary on the westbound M4 between junctions 11 and 12. However, O’Sullivan’s defense maintained that the accident was almost inevitable due to failures in the smart motorway’s alert system, which had not been operational for several days prior to the incident.
Evidence showed that O’Sullivan was driving approximately 77mph in a Ford Transit Connect van and was not wearing a seatbelt shortly before the crash, which occurred around 08:30 GMT. CCTV footage captured 35 other drivers passing the disabled Micra without incident. Judge Amjad Nawaz stated that despite the alleged failures in the motorway’s alert system, O’Sullivan had an individual responsibility to drive safely. He identified the cause of the crash as a “momentary lapse of concentration” and noted there was no explanation from O’Sullivan as to why he did not see the vehicle ahead, nor was there any evidence he slowed down.
Members of Dhillon’s family described her as a beloved figure deeply missed by all who knew her. Her youngest son, Manvir, read a statement highlighting her resilience in moving to the UK from Tanzania to build a new life away from an abusive relationship. He recalled how Dhillon continued to enjoy life fully right up until the tragic day of the accident. O’Sullivan, appearing at trial with a crutch due to injuries sustained in the crash, expressed remorse, saying the incident would haunt him forever. Thames Valley Police’s lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Mark Dunne, emphasized that the driving was careless regardless of the malfunctioning warning system and expressed hope that Dhillon’s family could find some degree of closure following the sentencing. An inquest into Dhillon’s death is anticipated, with O’Sullivan pledging cooperation
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