Danny Warby, 28, was sentenced at Huntingdon Law Court today (September 12), having previously been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the death of Sharon Garrett, from Wimblington. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.
During the seven day trial in August, the court heard Warby, of School Road, Runcton Holme, King’s Lynn, had only been driving for two minutes prior to the collision but had been using his mobile phone and responded to a text message.
He was also breaking the speed limit as he drove a lorry along the A141 at Wyton, where the crash happened at 4.35pm on June 6, 2014.
Warby’s lorry was in collision with the victim’s Renault Clio as well as another car and lorry.
In a statement, the family of Sharon Garrett said: “The loss of Sharon has been the most devastating event in the life of our family. It has had an impact on so many people, and for so many reasons.
“As a mother, Sharon was inspirational to our two young children. She would always help them with their studies, setting aside time to make sure homework was completed. She was a very intelligent woman, and extremely knowledgeable about a lot of things.
“Sharon was full of energy. Working full time, she always made sure our children had quality, family time wherever possible.
“Sharon was a truly remarkable woman, warm, friendly, kind, generous, intelligent, strong and hard working. We have been left devastated, and our hearts left completely broken. There is a massive void in our lives which can never be filled.
“No sentencing can ever bring back Sharon, but it is our hope that the sentence passed today will remind others that the simple act of using a mobile phone whilst driving can have such devastating consequences.”
PC Pete Bimson, who investigated the collision, said: “This was a tragic incident which claimed the life of a police officer. But the evidence heard in court showed it could have been avoided and emphasises the message that using a mobile phone at the wheel can have fatal consequences.
“Driving while using a phone is one of the ‘fatal four’ driving offences, along with speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving, for a very good reason: it can devastate lives.
“Use of a mobile phone will be picked up by officers investigating the causes behind any collision and it’s an offence taken very seriously by police and the courts.”
Detective Constable Garrett, 48, joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1991 and served in a number of roles across the force, most recently investigating complex fraud offences in the Economic Crime Unit.
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