Truck Driver Who Fatally Crashed into Pregnant Nurse Sentenced to Jail

A truck driver who fatally struck a pregnant nurse during an accident on the M8 motorway has been ordered to serve over two and a half years behind bars.

Trevor Norgate was operating an HGV when it drifted off the motorway shortly west of Hermiston Gait and onto the hard shoulder where 41-year-old Evelyn Brown had parked her vehicle.

Mrs. Brown was 34 weeks into her pregnancy when the event took place at 9:08 am on December 18, 2023.

Following a continued journey along the hard shoulder for approximately 88 meters, the truck crashed into Ms. Brown’s stationary vehicle, resulting in her death as well as the loss of her unborn child.

Norgate's attorney stated that his client was "distracted for only seven or eight seconds at most" before the accident occurred.

The individual, aged 58, admitted to manslaughter due to reckless driving during a court appearance on March 27.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, Judge Lord Armstrong sentenced Norgate, stating that due to his actions, "two lives were lost," and the family members of Ms. Brown experienced "substantially negative impacts" on their lives.

He stated, "The reality is that this is a highly serious issue."

“No sentence I can impose can in any sense be a measure of the value of the lives that have been lost, nor provide a comfort to the family whose own lives have been devastated as a result.

“I have read and take into account victim impact statements by Ms Brown’s mother and stepsister, which are eloquent in their terms, explaining the extent of their tragic loss and their difficulties in coming to terms with it.

“As the result of your actions, their lives have been changed radically for the worse.”

He acknowledged the fact Norgate had “accepted responsibility” for his actions at an early stage, and that it was he who called 999 following the incident.

However he said he had “no alternative” but to impose a prison term, and sentenced him to two years and eight months in prison.

He also disqualified Norgate from driving for four years and eight months, and said he would have to complete an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.

Norgate, dressed in a blue fleece and purple tracksuit bottoms, showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down.

Norgate’s lawyer David Nicolson KC said his client was “utterly devastated” by what happened, and that he will “never, ever get over what he did on this particular morning”.

He mentioned that his client had reviewed video clips of the event but still finds himself "completely bewildered" about what caused him to be "distracted" during those crucial seven or eight seconds when the truck hit Ms. Brown’s vehicle.