Driver Jailed After Crane Equipment Struck Mother Pushing Pram
A 71-year-old lorry driver, Kevin Miller, was sentenced to 13 months in prison after a crane’s unsecured equipment struck a woman while she was pushing a pram through a Cambridgeshire village. The incident occurred on September 22, 2022, near the B1050 in Willingham, where Rebecca Ableman, a 30-year-old NHS healthcare assistant, suffered catastrophic brain injuries after being hit from behind.
Rebecca Ableman, who resided in a village close to St Ives, was walking with her two-year-old daughter, Autumn, on a pavement adjacent to Station Road when the accident happened. The judge learned that Miller had been transporting scrap metal and had left the farm shop in Station Road shortly before the collision. At around 11:15 BST, the crane’s grabber assembly, which was not properly secured, moved and struck her head.
Admission and Sentencing
Miller, from Gayton Road, initially contested the charge of causing death by dangerous driving. The trial, which began in April 2025, was suspended as lawyers sought more time to prepare. He later admitted to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving in February 2025, the same month a second trial jury was set to hear evidence.
“Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments,” stated Judge Matthew Lowe during the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court.
According to the prosecution, Miller had used the B1050 to avoid heavy traffic on larger roads. As he passed through Willingham, the crane boom “slewed” to the nearside, swinging loose. Prosecutors argued that his failure to secure the boom adequately was the cause of the accident, emphasizing that even basic precautions like strapping the equipment down were neglected.
Family Statements
Rebecca Ableman’s father, Russell, shared that her “final act” was to shield Autumn from harm. He described her as a “hero” for her dedication to patients with mental health challenges at Fulbourn Hospital near Cambridge. Her mother, Susann, expressed gratitude that Autumn remained unharmed, while her partner, Chris Tuczemskyi, blamed the lack of safety measures for the tragedy.
“Becky died because basic safety measures were not taken,” said Chris Tuczemskyi, adding that the judge should send a “clear message” that safety must always be prioritized.
Miller’s defense barrister, John Dye, characterized the incident as an “unfathomable” tragedy, highlighting that Miller had secured the crane without a strap for 40 years and considered it a “freak accident.” He noted that the defendant had no prior driving convictions and was “devastated” by the impact on the Ableman family.
Industry Standards and Disqualification
The judge criticized Miller’s approach to maintenance, calling it “slipshod” and stressing that the crane’s unsecured grabber was the direct cause of Rebecca’s death. He also pointed out that industry guidance had been “firmed up” to prevent such incidents. As part of the sentence, Miller has been disqualified from driving for two years upon his release from prison.
