M27 fatal crash: Shoplifter speeding in ‘daredevil act’

Ross Alex Neiland, 38, was recklessly driving a Volkswagen Polo on the M27 westbound at speeds of approximately 93mph in torrential rain. Neiland was accompanied by two passengers who had joined him on a "shoplifting spree" earlier that day. His driving was described as "absolutely idiotic" by a witness travelling on the motorway on February 21, 2024, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Moments later, Neiland lost control of the vehicle after driving through a large area of standing water. He then ploughed into a car on the motorway which in turn crashed into a lorry, forcing it through the crash barrier and into the concrete support for the overhead gantry.

'Tried to flee'

Prosecuting, Martyn Booth said the driver of the lorry, Michal Kaminski, 36, was killed instantly. But Neiland, of Old Market Lane, Littlehampton, showed no remorse for his actions, Mr Booth said, as he was "preoccupied with removing items from the back of his car".

"These items are presumed stolen, and included a toaster in a box", he told the court. Mr Booth added: "It became immediately apparent the driver of the lorry was dead. "At no stage did the defendant call emergency services or give any assistance to Mr Kaminski."

When Neiland tried to flee the scene, he was restrained on the grass verge at the side of the motorway by two members of the public, who he then spat at in a fit of fury. Mr Booth said: "The defendant denied being the driver and responded aggressively by "spitting" in the direction of a man. "He "smelled of alcohol" and only seemed interested in "getting away", one man who stopped said.

"He was later found to have cocaine in his system."

M27 closed for days

Shocking dashcam footage shown to the court shows Neiland speeding on the outside lane of the carriageway, despite the heavy rain. Mr Booth said many drivers moved out of the way as they saw him approach, with one branding his speed as a "daredevil act". But soon Neiland's excessive acceleration caught up with him as he crashed into a Nissan Juke and the lorry between junction seven and junction five of the M27.

Mr Kaminski's lorry was thrown from the inside lane because of the impact and into the concrete support. That same night, the lorry erupted into flames, creating a large blaze at the scene of the horror crash. The carriageway was closed for two days as work to make the area safe was undertaken.

'I miss him everyday'

The loss of Mr Kaminski has been profoundly felt by his family, friends, and colleagues.

In a victim impact statement read out by Mr Booth in court, Michal's younger brother Rafal Kaminski, who lived with him in Salisbury, said: "You took from me not just my brother but my best friend, and a part of me. "I miss him every day. "I cannot manage living without him.

I hope there will be justice for my brother." A statement from his mother Anna Kaminska was also read out in court, where she told Neiland he had "taken the most loved person in the world". She described in detail the dreams Mr Kaminski had for his future, and how he was determined to leave Poland and train as a lorry driver in the UK.

"He always knew he wanted to be a lorry driver and live here, and he was always financially independent and worked", she said. "He was full of possibilities, but you have killed him and us."

Driving at 'enormous' speed

Neiland pleaded guilty to one count of death by dangerous driving in December of 2024. Mitigating, Tom Horder said Neiland wishes to express his "sorrow and remorse".

He said the standing water Neiland had driven through, which caused him to aquaplane, had "caused difficulties for other drivers weeks before the crash". Mr Horder added that Neiland's life had been "dominated" by a crippling addiction, and how he fell apart after the death of both his parents. Since then, he has been unable to hold down a job, Mr Horder said.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Henry spoke directly to the defendant, who remained expressionless in the dock. He said: "Mr Horder, in his eloquent submissions, has set to paint a picture of you as a victim. "I find it very difficult to accept you as a victim.

"You seem to contribute very little to society, but you are quite happy to take from it, whether it is stealing or acting irresponsibly to those around you." He added how he lived a life in "stark contrast" to that of Kaminski, as Neiland has not held down work since his parents died. Judge Henry said: "You were driving at enormous speed and numerous witnesses spoke of your excessive speed, using words such as "zooming".

"Mr Horder said you could've been as low as 88mph but even that is wholly inappropriate and excessive. "Mr Kaminski's death was utterly avoidable. This is a complete tragedy for this family and friends, and the court has every sympathy with them."

Neiland was handed a sentence of nine years and nine months for causing death by dangerous driving.

He was banned from driving for eight years after his release, with a 78-month extension.