Raw: Dashcam footage shows Scottish lorry driver David Shields on his phone before he crashes, killing mum-of-four Yvonne Blackman. Shields has been jailed for five years. / Crown Office
Shocking footage shows a lorry driver using his mobile phone at the wheel moments before he smashes into a line of traffic, killing a 66-year-old grandmother.
David Shields crashed into his lorry into a queue of cars in Dumfries, Scotland last February, causing the death of missionary worker Yvonne Blackman.
After the 34-year-old driver was jailed today, prosecutors released footage showing him checking his phone before he realised, too late, that there was traffic up ahead, reports Daily Mail.
Dashcam images show his recovery truck failing to slow down as it flies towards the back of Blackman's Toyota Yaris.
The victim's husband, Ralph Blackman, who is himself also a lorry driver, today urged all motorists to stop using their phones at the wheel. "I hope this sentence deters any drivers from doing the same. They should realise the suffering and hurt it causes to the victim's family.
"I've was a professional driver for 40 years and I've never used my mobile phone. If I'm driving I just let it ring.
"I know the dangers and other drivers should know the dangers. Only a second's inattention can be dangerous and he had 18 seconds with his eyes off the road."
Blackman, a mother-of-four who had 18 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, died in hospital on February 23 from chest and spinal injuries.
Her husband added: "She was very bubbly and fun-loving. She had a long life to live."
Shields previously pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving and was handed a five-year sentence at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
Shields, who served as a lance corporal in the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Iraq and Afghanistan, wept as he was led away to the cells.
The court heard that before the crash the recovery driver's attention was repeatedly focused on the dash-mounted mobile in the cab of his lorry.
Lorry driver David Shields has been jailed for five years for causing the death of Yvonne Blackman when he crashed while looking at his mobile phone. Photo / Facebook
Immediately before the collision his attention was on the mobile phone again and he failed to notice and react to the line of traffic ahead of him until it was too late.
The CCTV footage from inside the cab showed him checking his phone for around 18 seconds in the run-up to the crash.
His lorry collided with the rear of Blackman's car, causing it to be propelled into the rear of another car before it was pushed on to the opposing carriageway where it was struck again by the lorry.
David Green, head of the Scottish fatalities investigation unit, said: "David Shields's dangerous driving has irrevocably damaged many lives and our thoughts go to the family of Yvonne Blackman.
"Driving while handling a mobile phone, in any context, is illegal and dangerous, and can have the most serious of consequences."
