Asda Delivery Driver Receives Suspended Sentence for Fatal Crash
An Asda delivery driver has avoided immediate imprisonment after his careless driving led to the death of a 12-year-old boy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Graeme McGuckin, aged 34, struck Aaron Webb as the child stepped off a school bus on his way home on December 11, 2021.
Tragic Incident and Legal Proceedings
Aaron Webb was fatally injured when McGuckin's delivery van collided with him on the Lisburn Road shortly after 3:30 PM. The boy was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. McGuckin initially faced a charge of causing death by dangerous driving but later pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of death by careless driving. He also admitted a separate charge of dangerous driving on the same date.
At Craigavon Crown Court, Judge Patrick McGurgan imposed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, citing mitigating factors including McGuckin's clear record, genuine remorse, and significant health issues requiring intensive dialysis three times weekly.
Courtroom Details and Sentencing Remarks
Judge McGurgan acknowledged that the case warranted a custodial sentence but highlighted that Aaron's action of running from the bus contributed significantly to the fatal outcome. The judge reviewed extensive evidence, including CCTV footage from both the delivery van and school bus, which he viewed multiple times.
An aggravating factor was McGuckin's use of his mobile phone eight seconds before the collision, part of a pattern of distracted driving that day, including eating lunch with both hands off the wheel. The court heard that the 7.5-ton vehicle was traveling at 55 mph, exceeding its speed limit by five miles per hour, though within the national limit.
Forensic Analysis and Impact Statements
A detailed forensic engineer's report reconstructed the scene, indicating that while a driver would have seen the school bus, spotting a pedestrian would have been difficult. The expert concluded that McGuckin would have seen Aaron only two seconds before impact. Calculations suggested that even at lower speeds, the collision might still have been fatal due to reaction times.
Victim impact statements from Aaron's parents described him as the "funniest, kindest and most caring son," with his death causing immeasurable pain to his family. Judge McGurgan noted McGuckin's torment, exacerbated by his sister's death in a similar traffic incident in London in 2012.
Additional Sentencing and Aftermath
In addition to the suspended sentence, McGuckin received a 16-month driving disqualification. The court recognized that although there was no official bus stop at the location, it was common for schoolchildren to be dropped at specific points in rural areas. The bus driver had used flashing lights when stopping, but they were off when she pulled away.
This case underscores the devastating consequences of careless driving, particularly around school transport, leaving a family grieving and a driver facing lifelong remorse amid health challenges.
