Man Jailed for 12 Years Over Deadly A303 Crash That Killed Three
A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after causing a fatal crash on the A303 near Andover. Michal Antoni Kopaniarz, 39, of Donnington, Shropshire, was found guilty of killing Alex Britton, Tina Ince, and Tom Watson in a devastating collision.
Fatal Crash Caused by Dangerous Phone Use
The horrific crash happened on Wednesday 25 August 2021. Kopaniarz admitted to causing three deaths by dangerous driving after using his mobile phone behind the wheel. At the time of the collision, he was typing in his destination and watching a video on his phone. All three victims died instantly at the scene.
- Alex Britton, 28, from Portsmouth, was driving a broken-down Vauxhall Astra.
- Tina Ince, 58, from Southampton, had stopped in her food delivery van to offer help.
- Tom Watson, 30, from Southampton, was driving a breakdown recovery truck and also stopped to assist.
Kopaniarz’s lorry collided with all three vehicles, instantly killing them. He then tried to destroy his phone to cover up the evidence.
Dashcam Footage Exposed Attempts to Hide the Truth
Dashcam footage captured Kopaniarz smashing his Samsung phone in half and discarding it in the verge. Police recovered and pieced the phone back together, revealing his phone use during the crash. He also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Detective Constable Cate Paling said: “Kopaniarz killed three people because he was using his mobile phone and not paying attention to the road. The devastating consequences have torn three families apart. Nothing on your phone is worth risking lives.”
Families Pay Tribute, Call for Tougher Action
The families of the victims spoke out after the sentencing, expressing their sorrow and urging drivers to learn from this tragedy.
Tom Watson’s family: “Losing Tom was devastating. We respect the court’s decision but no sentence can replace him. We must try to move forward without Tom.”
Alex Britton’s family: “Alex was a wonderful mum and friend. Her passing left a huge hole in our hearts. Let this be a warning—using a phone while driving can have catastrophic consequences.”
Tina Ince’s daughter Melissa: “No sentence will ever be enough, but we’re relieved justice has been served. The person responsible has been held accountable.”
Think Twice Before Using Your Phone Behind The Wheel
If you know someone using their phone while driving, report it to the police by calling 101 or online. For road safety advice, visit Hampshire Police road safety site.
Remember: No message, call or video is worth a life.
