Man jailed after lorry driver death on motorway

Ross Neiland was speeding in heavy rain with no regard for other drivers, police said

A motorist, who forced a lorry off a motorway, killing the driver, has been jailed for nine years and nine months.

Michal Kaminski, 36, died at the scene on the M27 near Southampton Airport when his lorry hit a gantry, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Ross Neiland, 38, from Littlehampton, had been speeding at 90mph (145km/h) in heavy rain before the crash on 21 February 2024, police said.

He previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving while uninsured and unlicensed as well as pleading guilty to failing to allow a blood test.

Michal Kaminski, known as Mike, worked as a lorry driver for a flooring firm in Salisbury

Neiland lost control of his Volkswagen Polo and collided with the lorry and a Nissan Juke on the westbound carriageway, police said.

The crash caused Mr Kaminski, from Salisbury, to veer into the metal support of an overhead gantry.

Neiland then tried to flee the scene but was detained by members of the public, detectives added.

In his car, police said they found meat, cheese and laundry detergent, which had been shoplifted earlier that day.

The motorway was closed for two days for safety work.

The M27 was closed for two days following the fatal crash

Phil Hanham, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "Michal was innocently going about his daily work when his life was cruelly cut short that day by the selfish actions of another driver.

"The dashcam footage of Neiland speeding, despite the heavy rain, is extremely shocking to view.

"He clearly had absolutely no regard for the safety of himself, his passengers and other road users."

Previously, police investigating the crash arrested a 32-year-old man from Yapton, West Sussex, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.

However, he died in May 2024 in non-suspicious circumstances, according to detectives.

Another motorist, Kerry Ann Pearce, 40, of Beach Road in Littlehampton, failed to provide a specimen and was banned from driving for 12 months in October.

Mr Kaminski's family, from Poland, previously issued a statement, saying: "You will always be in our hearts and we will always remember you smiling."