Polish Lorry Driver Jailed for 10 Years After Horrific A34 Crash Kills Mum and Three Kids
A Polish lorry driver has been slammed with a 10-year jail sentence after a deadly smash on the A34 that wiped out a mother and her three children. Tomasz Kroker caused an eight-vehicle pile-up while distracted, flicking through music on his mobile phone.
Tragic Crash on the A34
Kroker pleaded guilty to dangerous driving that led to the deaths of Tracey Houghton, her sons Josh and Ethan, and stepdaughter Aimee Goldsmith. The horror collision happened near Newbury, Berkshire, back in August.
Judge Mrs Justice Maura McGowan did not hold back during sentencing at Reading Crown Court. She slammed Kroker’s attention as so poor “he might as well have had his eyes closed.”
Family’s Camping Trip Ends in Tragedy
The devastated family were returning to their Dunstable home after a camping trip when disaster struck. Tracey’s partner, Mark Goldsmith, who was driving behind with his 13-year-old son Jake, witnessed the crash that killed his partner and children.
Their small Vauxhall Corsa was crushed beneath another lorry in the chain-reaction smash. Alongside the four fatalities, 12 others, including Mr Goldsmith and his son, were injured.
Driver Caught Distracted at the Wheel
Bodycam footage played in court revealed Kroker spent seven seconds changing music on his phone just moments before ploughing into stationary cars at 50mph. Shockingly, he had signed a pledge to his boss just an hour earlier vowing not to use his phone while driving.
The terrifying crash involved four lorries and four cars altogether, shutting a six-mile stretch of the A34 for over 18 hours and bringing chaos to the busy route.
Justice Served
Kroker, a father-of-one, was also convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He stood in the dock as the judge handed down the decade-long jail term, bringing some justice to a shattered family and community.
