Why Was Lorry Driver Daniel Barlow Jailed for 8 Years Over the M6 Crash That Killed Chloe Williams, 19?

Quick answer: HGV driver Daniel Barlow, 30, was jailed for eight years and four months at Chester Crown Court on 16 October 2026 after his lorry collided with the back of a stationary car on the M6 in Cheshire, killing 19-year-old Chloe Williams and seriously injuring two other people.

Key facts

• What: Lorry-car collision; sentencing for causing death by dangerous driving
• Where: Northbound M6 between junctions 16 and 17, near Sandbach, Cheshire, England
• Crash date: Evening of Friday 2 December 2022
• Sentenced: Friday 16 October 2026, Chester Crown Court
• Toll: 1 killed, 2 seriously injured
• Sentence: 8 years 4 months in prison; 10 year 4 months driving disqualification with an extended retest
• Emergency number: 999

What happened

On the evening of Friday 2 December 2022, Barlow was driving a white DAF truck on the northbound M6 between junctions 16 and 17 after completing deliveries in the Birmingham area. Ahead of him, a grey Volkswagen Polo driven by Chloe Williams's partner had come to a stop in lane one because of heavy traffic as it approached junction 17 for Sandbach. The three people in the Polo were travelling to a concert in Manchester.

Barlow was also travelling in lane one. He failed to react to the stationary traffic in time and collided with the rear of the Polo. Analysis presented to the court showed that he had been travelling at a constant 55mph and did not attempt to stop until 0.25-0.5 seconds before the collision, despite having a clear view of the traffic ahead. Prosecution evidence showed that he had a view of the stationary traffic for at least 11.5 seconds, which he completely failed to react to.

All three people in the Polo were taken to hospital with serious injuries. Chloe, 19, later died. The two other occupants sustained serious injuries, including broken legs and a fractured skull, with life-changing consequences including memory loss and long-lasting pain.

The sentencing

Barlow was sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He had originally been due to be sentenced on Thursday 8 October, but he failed to attend the hearing. He was arrested in the early hours of Friday 9 October after officers found him hiding at a friend's address in Lancashire.

In sentencing, Judge Thompson said Barlow's driving clearly represented a significant danger to others, and described his failure to attend his previous sentencing hearing as the ultimate act of disrespect and cowardice. Alongside the prison term, Barlow received a driving disqualification of 10 years and 4 months, with an extended retest.

Why this case matters

Evidence that had been restricted from the original trial showed that, while driving along the M6 before the collision, Barlow had interacted with his phone on several occasions, including logging on to a gambling website. Tachograph analysis showed that he was driving the DAF truck while doing so. He had also failed to notify the DVLA of notifiable medical conditions when applying for his HGV licence.

Chloe's family said they had lived through the loss again and again, enduring three trials, and that Barlow's continued denial had prolonged the court process and caused further pain. Inspector Andy Dennison, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation unit, said Barlow had shown no remorse, had pleaded not guilty despite the evidence, and had shown total disregard for the family by failing to attend his own sentencing hearing. He said he hoped the sentence would give the family some closure.

Frequently asked questions

### Who died in the M6 crash? Chloe Williams, 19, a passenger in a grey Volkswagen Polo, died after the car was hit from behind by a lorry on the northbound M6 near Sandbach on 2 December 2022.

Who was sentenced over the crash?

Daniel Barlow, 30, of Railway Close, Facit, Whitworth, an HGV driver, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 16 October 2026 to eight years and four months in prison.

What was Barlow convicted of?

Causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Why did the court treat the driving as so serious?

The court heard that Barlow had a clear view of the stationary traffic for at least 11.5 seconds, travelled at a constant 55mph, and did not attempt to stop until 0.25-0.5 seconds before the collision. Evidence also showed he had used his phone, including logging on to a gambling website, while driving.

What driving ban did Barlow receive?

A disqualification of 10 years and 4 months, with an extended retest.