Woman whose parents were killed in horrific A1 crash meets lorry driver who caused collision
A daughter who tragically lost her parents in a catastrophic crash on the A1(M) has described the moment she came face to face with their killer. Marie Johnson's parents died in a motorway collision in 2021, when lorry driver Ion Nicu Onut failed to stop in time for stationary traffic. He had been using his mobile phone.
Teesside Live previously Ion Nicu Onut, was jailed for almost nine years[1] in January 2022 after pleading guilty to three counts of causing death by dangerous driving. Paul Mullen, 51, from Washington, also died in the crash alongside Marie's parents Seaham couple Elaine Sullivan, 59, and David Daglish, 57. In March, Durham Constabulary's Victim Care & Advice Service facilitated a meeting between Marie and Ion.
In my head I wanted him to be a monster," she said, "but he wasn't. He was just a normal man. "It was like having a conversation with a friend about what we'd been through.
I never gave it a thought that this man was the man that killed my parents."
Paul Mullen (top left); David Daglish and Elaine Sullivan (bottom left); Ion Onut (centre) and police at the scene on the A1(M)
Footage of the crash aftermath is shown in a new short documentary released by Durham Constabulary. One officer can be heard describing the scene as "like a bomb has gone off". In the heart-breaking video, Marie tells police she received an apology from Onut's barrister but says she wanted to hear it for herself.
She said: "You can cry as much as you want in a documentary, but is that genuine? Until you see and hear it for yourself, you can't pass judgement. "I wanted him to know the destruction he left behind.
I wanted him to know she left grandchildren behind. They were people they weren't a name in the paper." Marie described the killer as a "normal guy who made a mistake."
David Daglish and Elaine Sullivan who were killed in a crash on the A1
Teesside Live previously reported Onut was driving a 3.5 tonne Scania LGV, carrying fertilizer, when he "ploughed" into queueing traffic on the A1(M) near junction 61 at Bowburn. The crash created a "fireball" and caused devastation.
It was later revealed Onut, was trawling the internet on dating sites looking for casual sexual partners" at the time of the smash. In the documentary he can be seen crying while recalling the crash. For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here[2] to sign up to our free newsletter
Join Teesside Live's WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Teesside Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we'll send you the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone. To join our community group, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select 'Join Community'[3].
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Teesside Live[4] team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice[5].
Click here to join our WhatsApp community[6].
References
- ^ jailed for almost nine years (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ go here (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ click this link and select 'Join Community' (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
- ^ can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)