A truck driver caused the death of two people by messaging his girlfriend on Facebook while driving on a highway, according to police in the United Kingdom.
Now, the truck driver has been sentenced to serve six years in prison after his decision to use his mobile phone while driving caused the death of two people.
Keith Mees, 49, of Pingle Farm Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The Southampton Crown Court heard how Mees had been distracted as he used his mobile phone to access Facebook while driving along the M271.
It was this distraction that resulted in the collision shortly before 5:15 p.m., which involved three trucks and a Ford Mondeo.
The driver of the car, Marian Olteanu, 35, of Shirley, Southampton, and his passenger, father-of-two Ion Calin, 42, of Shirley, Southampton, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the truck drivers suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Southampton General Hospital. Mees was also injured.
Mees was disqualified from driving for seven years.