Ben Law: Shaun Hillary jailed over fatal milk tanker crash

Ben Law might have lived had Shaun Hillary been driving within the speed limit

A mother has paid tribute to her much-loved son as a man was jailed for nine months over his death.

Ben Law, 22, was killed when the car he was in crashed into a milk tanker in 2021, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The car's driver, Shaun Hillary, 32, of Wigton, was handed a 30-month driving ban after being convicted of death by careless driving for going too fast.

Ben's mother said her "polite, considerate and empathetic" son had been loved by everyone who met him.

Hillary, of Thurston Drive, was driving his BMW 330D at between 76 and 82mph immediately prior to the crash, which happened on a 60mph stretch of the A596 eastbound between Carlisle and Wigton.

He was rounding a bend when a milk tanker driver started to pull out of a farm road.

Unable to stop safely, Hillary lost control of his car and hit the tanker, killing front seat passenger Ben and leaving himself and a rear seat passenger with serious injuries.

Shaun Hillary was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court over Ben Law's death.

Ben's mother spoke out as Hillary was sentenced, saying: "I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about Ben.

"The impact from losing Ben wasn't just on us, he left behind a sister. Her heart was broken that day too.

"The ripple effect of Ben's death has affected so many."

She said Ben was "missed beyond measure" and described the pride she felt seeing the streets of Wigton lined with mourners on the day of his funeral.

'Drive responsibly'

PC Tim Fowkes, from Cumbria Police's serious collision investigation unit, said a crash would have been unlikely had Hillary been driving within the speed limit.

"Hillary made the decision to exceed the speed limit on that tragic evening," he said.

"This decision increased the overall stopping distance of his vehicle and ultimately led to the loss of a young man's life.

"We would urge people to drive responsibly at all times."