Shocking footage shows a lorry driver using his mobile phone moments before he smashes into a line of traffic, killing a 66-year-old woman.
David Shields crashed into her car in a line of traffic in Dumfries 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 realising too late the traffic up ahead.
Lorry driver David Shields has been jailed for five years for causing the death of Yvonne Blackman (right) when he crashed while looking at his mobile phone
Shields previously pleaded guilty to causing her death by dangerous driving and was jailed for five years at the High Court in Glasgow today.
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.
Yvonne’s husband of 38 years Ralph Blackman, 78, urged drivers never to use their mobile phones while driving.
Mr Blackman, from Lockerbie, himself an HGV driver for 40 years, said: ‘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.’
Mrs Blackman, a mother-of-four, had 18 grand children and two great grandchildren.
Her husband said: ‘She was very bubbly and fun-loving. She had a long life to live.’
Footage from within the lorry’s cab shows Shields on his phone seconds before the crash
The lorry’s dashcam showed the moment the truck hit cars in the queue of traffic
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.
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.
Ms Blackman’s husband Ralph, who was himself a lorry driver, urged others to learn from the tragedy
His lorry collided with the rear of Mrs 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.’
The crash happened on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer road near to its junction with Lockerbie Road roundabout in Dumfries on February 8 last year.
Mrs Blackman, a missionary worker from Lockerbie, had been on her way to meet fellow volunteers at the time.
She suffered severe injuries and died in hospital on February 22, 2017.
Shields was also disqualified from driving for seven and a half years.