Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram
Driver Jailed After Crane Equipment Strikes Mother Pushing Pram
A 71-year-old lorry driver has received a 13-month prison sentence following a tragic incident in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, where a woman was fatally injured by loose crane parts while pushing her daughter in a pram. The accident occurred on 22 September 2022, when Rebecca Ableman, 30, was walking on a pavement alongside the B1050 with her two-year-old child, Autumn.
Rebecca Ableman, an NHS healthcare assistant working at Fulbourn Hospital near Cambridge, left a farm shop on Station Road before the collision. She sustained severe brain injuries and passed away three weeks later. Kevin Miller, of Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, admitted to causing the accident through careless or inconsiderate driving.
Legal Proceedings and Trial Halt
Miller’s case initially went to trial in April 2025, where he contested the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. However, the trial was paused as legal teams requested additional time. He later confessed to the offense in February 2025, just before the second jury was set to hear evidence.
“Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments,” stated Judge Matthew Lowe during the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court.
Miller’s defense highlighted his long-standing experience, noting he had secured the crane without a strap for four decades. Barrister John Dye argued that the accident was a “freak” incident, emphasizing Miller’s dedication and lack of prior driving convictions. The prosecution, however, stressed that his failure to secure the crane boom adequately constituted carelessness.
Prosecutors explained that the crane’s unsecured grabber moved while Miller was driving through Willingham, with the boom slewing toward the nearside due to heavy traffic on larger roads. They added that industry guidelines had been “firmed up,” and that basic safety measures were overlooked. The judge noted the lorry was also poorly maintained, reinforcing the idea of a “slipshod” approach to vehicle care.
Rebecca’s father, Russell, described her final act as a heroic effort to shield Autumn from harm. Her mother, Susann, expressed gratitude that her daughter remained unharmed. Chris Tuczemskyi, Rebecca’s partner and Autumn’s father, urged the court to send a “clear message” that safety must always be prioritized.
Upon release, Miller will be disqualified from driving for two years. The judge concluded that the driver’s negligence in securing the crane was directly responsible for Rebecca’s death, highlighting the critical role of proper precautions in preventing such tragedies.
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