Haulage company owner & driver sentenced to jail

Update from Humberside Police:-

Haulage company owner sentenced to 15 years in jail and driver sentenced to six years after two men died in fatal collision on M62 in April 2018

Today at Hull Crown Court haulage company owner, Michael Holgate (39), of Munstead Way, Brough, was sentenced to 15 years in jail after he was found guilty last week, of two counts of manslaughter through gross negligence, two counts of causing death whilst uninsured. He had previously entered a guilty plea to one offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The driver, Jack Beston from Driffield, who was 22 at the time of the collision, was sentenced to six years after he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared at previous hearing at Hull Crown Court in October 2020.

On 3 April 2018, two men, Nigel Eley (41) and John-Paul Cassidy (37) were travelling eastbound along the M62, when a 30 tonne articulated truck, carrying a large static caravan heading west along the M62, careered through the central reservation, crossing over onto the opposite carriageway colliding with a black Lexus that Nigel and John-Paul were travelling in.  Nigel sadly died at the scene and John-Paul later died of his injuries in hospital.

Speaking after the sentencing of Holgate and Beston, Sergeant Rob Mazingham of Humberside Police Serious Collision Unit said, “Jack Beston knew as he drove the vehicle down the M62 that day that his brakes were not working and yet, rather than pull his vehicle safely over and call for mechanical assistance, he continued his journey which ended in fatal consequences.

“For his part Michael Holgate owned the haulage company which was responsible for maintaining this and other vehicles in his fleet.

“He was responsible for making sure his vehicles were roadworthy.  Long standing mechanical faults existed with this and other vehicles which clearly showed Holgate’s disregard for his responsibilities.

“Our investigation revealed a shocking picture of a company culture with a complete disregard of safety and maintenance.”

In closing Sergeant Mazingham said, “I would like to thank the families of John and Nigel for their patience while this case has been investigated.  They have endured untold pain since the loss of their loved ones, something no family should have to suffer.

I would also like to pass on my thanks to the other agencies involved in the investigation.

“I hope that the sentencing of these two men provides John-Paul’s and Nigel’s families some form of closure at this very difficult time and also serves as a warning to other drivers and operators who may be tempted to risk lives by not adhering to rules and regulations imposed for the safety of all.”

Notes to media – there are no custody pictures available in relation to this case.  The pictures of John-Pual and Nigel are included here.