Trucker faces 6 deaths trial
A LORRY driver accused of killing a family of six in a horror crash faced the victims’ grieving relatives in court yesterday.
Portuguese Paulo Jorge da Silva, 46, was charged with causing the deaths by dangerous driving of David and Michelle Statham and their four children on the M6 near Sandbach in Cheshire.
He appeared at Chester Crown Court as members of the victims’ family packed the public gallery benches.
Da Silva, who pleaded not guilty to six charges, had proceedings translated by an interpreter in the dock.
He was remanded in custody for trial on February 9.
Mr Statham, 38, and his 33-year-old wife were travelling to their home in Llandudno, North Wales, when their Toyota Previa people carrier was hit from behind by da Silva’s fruit lorry.
Their car was crushed in the smash which involved several other vehicles.
They died with their children Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, aged 20 months, and 10-week-old Elouise.