Driver faces sentence in June over M55 tragedy in which van driver was killed

A HGV driver has admitted causing a man's death after his large articulated lorry was involved in multi vehicle pile up on the M55.
Aftermath of tragic M55 crashAftermath of tragic M55 crash
Aftermath of tragic M55 crash

Czechoslovakian Dusan Zverka, 35, was the driver of a Renault Heavy tractor and trailer set up which collided with a line of vehicles waiting to leave the M55 at junction 3 - the Kirkham turn off - on May 2 last year.

The victim, 53-year-old van driver David Hargreaves, from Chorley, is said to have suffered severe head injuries in the incident when his van was crushed between Zverka’s vehicle and another truck, and later died.

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A previous magistrates hearing was told three other people were hurt and five vehicles were involved in the accident.

Aftermath of tragic M55 crashAftermath of tragic M55 crash
Aftermath of tragic M55 crash

On the day of the incident the M55 was closed for eight hours.

The nearby A583 was also blocked by the weight of traffic diverted off the M55.

Zverka appeared for a plea and trial preparation hearing before Preston Crown Court where he admitted a charge of causing death by driving without due care and attention.

Judge Sara Dodd adjourned the case and the driver is now expected to be sentenced on June 20.

Zverka who runs a road freight company based at his home on Rochdale Road, Manchester, was granted bail.