A lorry driver from Milton Keynes has been jailed after being charged with dangerous driving following the death of a man near Bordon in Hampshire.
Lewis Lodge, 39, of Sissinghurst Drive, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at Winchester Crown Court.
The court heard how Lodge was driving a HGV along Green Street, in East Worldham, Hampshire on July 21, when he was in a minor collision with a Citroen C3 driven by Choudhry Sadaqat.
Following the collision, the hearing was told how there was an exchange of words between the drivers, who had got out of their vehicles.
Lodge returned to his lorry and despite Mr Sadaqat being stood in the road ahead of him, Lodge continued to drive forward.
The court was told how Lodge had tried to drive around Sadaqat, but it would have been clear to most motorists that it was not safe to do so.
As a result of the collision Mr Sadaqat, 35, from Farnham, suffered life-threatening injuries and died in hospital on July 25.
Lodge was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison and disqualified from driving for six years and four months.
Sgt Mark Furse, from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Hampshire Police, said: “This was a death that could have easily been avoided.
“While it is clear that Mr Lodge was trying to navigate around Mr Sadaqat, it would have been obvious to any clear thinking motorist that such a manoeuvre, in such a large vehicle, was dangerous and had the potential to end in tragedy.
“Had Mr Lodge just kept his patience that day and taken a moment to think about what he was about to do, then Mr Sadaqat may still be alive today.
“He made a reckless decision that has left a family devastated.
“This case clearly shows how losing your patience, for even a moment, while driving can have tragic consequences.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists that no matter how frustrated you may feel behind the wheel, it is never worth risking the life of another – stop, take a breath and drive safely at all times.”
