Shocking video shows texting lorry driver crash into van and seriously injure three people after 42 incidents of bad driving in a four-hour journey as he is jailed for more than three years.
This is the moment a lorry driver crashes into the back of a van and seriously injures three people - after getting distracted by his mobile phone.
Derek Holland, 59, was filmed by a camera fitted to the inside of his vehicle's cab as he ploughed into a security van at almost 60mph.
Seconds earlier he could be seen staring down at his device with only one hand on top of the wheel.
Detectives looking into the footage recorded 42 separate incidents of 'poor driving' during Holland's four-hour journey prior to the collision near Lewes, at about 10.55am on 10 August 2020.
This included an 'almost persistent' use of his mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, and taking both hands off the wheel to peel a banana and to 'wave at traffic lights'.
Sussex Police said that throughout the journey through southern England he used a replica seatbelt buckle in the socket to prevent the alarm from activating, and only put his actual seatbelt on when he pulled up behind a police car at traffic lights.
As soon as the police vehicle was out of sight, he removed the belt again.
The video ends with Holland distracted and bending forward to send and receive messages before looking up moments before the collision just outside Lewes on the A27.
Holland had driven at speed into the back of a prison security van that had broken down on the dual carriageway just outside Lewes.
A prison van driver, escort officer, and prisoner all sustained serious injuries in the incident.
Holland was subsequently arrested and charged with dangerous driving, and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In interview, he admitted his behaviour was 'atrocious'.
Holland pleaded guilty to all four charges and appeared before Hove Crown Court on Tuesday 27 July, where he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment.
He was also disqualified from driving for 57 months and must take an extended re-test if he wishes to drive again.
His Honour Judge Rennie gave Holland credit for his guilty plea, and said he had showed remorse and was 'clearly ashamed' by his 'appalling' manner of driving.
He added: 'You had no consideration for public safety or for the law. Very clearly, there was nobody else to blame other than yourself for causing this collision.
