A fatal accident at the end of November 2023 in Oosterhout is due to a truck driver. He was distracted because he was constantly on his phone. The driver, a 31-year-old man from Waalwijk, was given a six-month prison sentence by the court in Breda on Thursday. He will also lose his driver’s license for three years.
A 25-year-old man from this town died in the accident on the Statendamweg in Oosterhout. He was hit on his moped.
According to the judge, the man from Waalwijk drove carelessly and inattentively. Before he wanted to turn left, he paid little or no attention to other traffic. He entered the left lane of Statendamweg and crossed a cycle path without slowing down. The moped rider was hit.
Video calling during riots
Two weeks ago, during the hearing, the prosecutor made it clear that the trucker had not paid attention to the traffic and the road for a long time because he was making video calls. About a minute before the accident happened, he had sent another WhatsApp message. He was also in a hurry because a company he was heading to was closing soon.
According to the public prosecutor, there is very serious guilt, also because the driver should have given way. He added that professional drivers, especially those of trucks, can be expected to be extra aware of the dangers posed by road traffic.
The driver’s attorney completely disagreed with the officer. There was no hasty behavior, because his client knew that there was another colleague of his at the company where he had to unload. He also cannot make a connection between his calling behavior and his driving behavior.
‘Accumulation of errors’
The judge has a different view: “If he drove and looked attentively and attentively, the suspect should also have seen the victim’s moped at that moment.” The Waalwijker’s statement that he would have looked carefully at that moment was not accepted by the court. He speaks of an ‘accumulation of errors’.
Justice demanded six months in prison and five years’ driving ban. The lawyer hoped that his client would get away with a conditional driving ban, because he needs his driver’s license for his work. The accident also affected him and he wanted to talk to relatives.
‘Blooming of his life’
The judge took it seriously that the victim was just 25 years old, ‘in the prime of his life’ and that the surviving relatives must continue to live with this irreparable suffering. The Waalwijker is also blamed for his lax attitude during the process.
Moreover, the court is not confident that he has become more careful on the road since the accident. The Waalwijker says that he continues to make (video) calls while driving. Partly for that reason, he is not allowed to drive for three years.
Police and ambulances were quickly on the scene, but in vain for the victim: