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# Lorry driver sentenced after colleague died when trailer rolled into him in Fradley
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lorry-driver-sentenced-after-colleague-died-when-trailer-rolled-into-him-in-fradley/
- Published: 2020-06-19T14:28:45.000Z
- Updated: 2020-06-19T14:29:03.000Z
- Description: A man who failed to apply his handbrake correctly in Fradley and killed a work colleague as a result has been given a six month sentence suspended for two years.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Crime, Fradley, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

A man who failed to apply his handbrake correctly in Fradley and killed a work colleague as a result has been given a six month sentence suspended for two years.

The vehicle driven by Konstantin Georgiev, of Corran Road, Stafford, rolled into a trailer unit which Craig Stopforth, from Telford, was stood between on Common Lane on 11th January 2019.

The pair – who worked for a transport company based in Telford – were in the process of swapping trailers, but an investigation found that 43-year-old Georgiev had failed to apply the handbrake and the parking brake was also not set.

The vehicle slowly rolled forward and crushed 48-year-old Craig, who was changing registration plates at the time.

Craig’s wife said in a statement:

> “It’s with the greatest regret and deepest sense of loss that I have had to say goodbye to my husband, needlessly killed in January 2019.  
>  
> “I miss every atom of him – his big laugh, huge hugs and wicked sense of humour.  
>  
> “To say I love and miss him endlessly just isn’t enough.  
>  
> “The effect his death has had on myself and our family is overwhelming.”  
>  
> Craig Stopforth’s wife

Georgiev was sentenced after pleading guilty to causing death by careless driving.

Sergeant Richard Moors, from the Staffordshire and West Midlands Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

> “This was a tragic event. I would urge drivers of any vehicle, not just lorries, to ensure their own and others safety and check that the handbrake is correctly engaged before exiting their vehicle.  
>  
> “A family have been left devastated by the actions of Georgiev that night in, what was, an easily avoidable incident.”  
>  
> Sgt Richard Moors