Home / Crime and Justice / Search for Cigarette Causes Deadly M32 Motorway Pile-up
Search for Cigarette Causes Deadly M32 Motorway Pile-up
27 Feb
Summary
- A driver's search for a cigarette caused a fatal multi-vehicle collision.
- The crash on the M32 near Bristol tragically killed 68-year-old Michael Stone.
- Jamie Nicholls received a suspended sentence for causing death by careless driving.
A fatal motorway collision occurred on the M32 near Bristol on August 22, 2024, when Jamie Nicholls, 48, was distracted while looking for a cigarette. His van collided with the stationary vehicle of 68-year-old Michael Stone, triggering a multi-car pile-up. Mr. Stone tragically died at the scene, and several others sustained injuries.
Nicholls pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court. He received a 14-month suspended prison sentence, a 12-month driving ban, and other penalties. The victim's wife shared a heartbreaking statement detailing the immense loss and the ongoing grief experienced by their family.
Authorities highlighted that even a brief lapse in concentration at high speed can have catastrophic consequences. They emphasized that poor driving concentration is an avoidable cause of accidents and expressed sympathy for Mr. Stone's devastated family, urging drivers to prioritize road safety.
