Shocking moment lorry being driven ‘at speed’ almost topples over bridge and is left dangling over dual carriageway – as driver is banned from the roads
- The lorry was driven by Petru-ionut Lungu, 33, who suffered only minor injuries
- Lungu of Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, Suffolk, admitted careless driving
- He was banned from driving for six months and fined over five hundred pounds
Dashcam footage of the terrifying moment a lorry almost toppled over a bridge, and was left dangling over a dual carriageway, has been shown in court.
Suffolk magistrates heard how the meat lorry overturned after travelling ‘at speed’ on to the Copdock interchange roundabout near Ipswich on June 7 last year.
It was driven by Petru-ionut Lungu who suffered only minor injuries.
Video shows Lungu’s lorry careering around a roundabout before he loses control, with the articulated section of the HGV tipping first.
Lungu, 33, of Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, Suffolk, admitted careless driving at an earlier hearing.
A driver was following behind Lungu when he filmed the incredible images at 5 p.m. on June 7 2019.
A second motorist driving on the A14 below the roundabout filmed debris rained down on his car as he drove under the bridge.
Nobody was seriously injured in the accident which caused traffic chaos and led to the road being closed for two days.
Suffolk magistrates heard how the meat lorry overturned after travelling ‘at speed’ on to the Copdock interchange roundabout near Ipswich
The crash also delayed thousands of people driving into Ipswich for a Rod Stewart concert at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road ground.
Suffolk magistrates court in Ipswich heard how Lungu’s lorry tipped over after he accelerated away from traffic lights which were ‘on amber, if not red.’
Magistrates were shown the dashcam footage.
Lungu pleaded with the court to allow him to keep his driving licence, saying it would cause exceptional hardship for his family for him to lose it as he was main breadwinner.
But magistrates rejected his argument and banned him from driving for six months under the totting up procedure after giving him nine penalty points on the top of the six he already had.
The driver was following behind when he filmed the incredible images at 5pm on June 7 last year
He was also fined £562, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £56.
Magistrates said they took into account the ‘seriousness of the offence and the impact it caused to drivers whose vehicles were damaged and the community by having this junction closed’.
Prosecutor Ian Devine told the court: ‘The road conditions that day were good. It was dry, bright and visibility was excellent.
‘You have to take into account when you are driving such a machine, its weight, its speed and its camber on the road.’
Ellie Carter, defending, argued that Lungu was unable to afford the fee quoted for an expert witness to give evidence on other contributory factors, other than excessive speed, in his defence.
Miss Carter said it would be ‘unjust’ to disqualify him from driving due to the absence of an expert report.
She added that he had been a lorry driver for nine years and had driven on the route on numerous occasions without ever having ‘had issues with the lorry or load’.
Lungu was banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay a fine plus costs
Lungu said he was the highest earner in his household and losing his licence would mean he would be unable to pay rent and utility bills.
The court heard that Lungu’s wife worked full-time as a cleaner.
Sgt Peter Partridge of the the Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team said after the hearing: ‘We are delighted with this result.
‘Careless driving has serious consequences and will not be tolerated. Suffolk Police will continue to pursue and prosecute those who drive carelessly and endanger the lives of other road users.’