A van driver has been handed a suspended prison sentence following a deadly pile-up on the M4 smart motorway. Barry O’Sullivan, 45, slammed into a stationary car, killing passenger Pulvinder Dhillon, 68.
Crash Caught on Camera
The horror unfolded as O’Sullivan drove his grey Ford work van along the busy M4 in March 2022. CCTV footage showed him crashing into the back of Pulvinder’s daughter’s Nissan Micra, which had been stuck in the fast lane for six minutes. The impact caused a fiery pile-up. Pulvinder, a beloved mother and grandmother, died from her injuries.
Speed and System Failures Blamed
Reading Crown Court revealed O’Sullivan was driving between 74 and 80mph just before the smash. Vital safety alerts on the smart motorway were not working, failing to warn drivers about the broken-down vehicle. 
His defence argued the deadly crash was “inevitable” because the Nissan was stopped in the fast lane without warning signs on the smart motorway. Prosecutors slammed O’Sullivan for careless driving, saying he “did not pick up on cues” that the car was stationary, even though other drivers swerved away.
“He was driving carelessly and at speed,” the court heard.
Van Driver’s Account and Judge’s Ruling
O’Sullivan told police he felt “fresh” and “alert” that morning and saw no warnings on road signs. Seconds before the crash, he thought the Nissan was moving with traffic and that the hazard lights were off. He slammed on the brakes too late to avoid hitting the car. The judge acknowledged O’Sullivan’s serious injuries from the crash left him walking with sticks and unable to work. He handed down a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, recognising a driving ban would hit O’Sullivan hard since he relied on his van for work.
Smart Motorways Under Fire
Smart motorways, which use technology to ease traffic by turning hard shoulders into extra lanes, have sparked safety fears. The broken alert system on this stretch of the M4 highlights ongoing concerns. A National Highways spokesperson said:
“Any death on our roads is one too many. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Pulvinder Dhillon. The person responsible has been found guilty of driving carelessly.” AA president Edmund King also weighed in: “This tragic case raises serious questions about the road environment and failing technology meant to keep drivers safe. Some argue those who designed these ‘smart’ motorways and the faulty systems should face accountability too.”
