Man jailed after death of six-year-old Millie Joy Gribble in Wyre
Stephen Worden sentenced for careless driving after fatal truck collision in Bilsborrow
A 61-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after causing the death of six-year-old Millie Joy Gribble in Bilsborrow.
Stephen Worden was driving a white Iveco Daily truck on 15th August 2023 when it collided with a stationary double-decker bus, mounted a grass verge, and struck three children who had just stepped off the bus on the A6 Garstang Road.
Millie suffered a devastating head injury and was taken to Alder Hey Hospital, where she tragically died six days later with her parents by her side.
The two other children injured in the incident – a boy now aged 16 and a girl now aged 15 – were left with serious injuries. Fortunately, these injuries were not life-changing.
Worden, from Cartmell Lane, Nateby, Preston, was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in October, he was found not guilty of these charges.
However, he had earlier admitted causing death by careless driving and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.
At Preston Crown Court today (9th December), Worden was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years for his actions.
Millie's parents spoke in court through victim statements, sharing memories and expressing their heartbreak at the loss of their beloved daughter.
Millie's father Joseph said: “Millie was my heartbeat, my world, my reason to improve my life in every way... Millie was my world, and we did everything together.”
He added: “For myself, I now don’t know what I want from my life. My life is ruined, and I’ve lost all purpose. Every day is hard, some harder than others. I keep going to make her proud of me.”
Her mother Sam said: “Millie loved all her family so much and this is something she would say almost every day... My beautiful little girl Millie wasn’t just my daughter, she was my best friend, my everything. I just want my beautiful little girl back.”
Sgt Martin Wilcock from Lancashire Constabulary’s Road Policing Unit said: “Millie’s death has had and continues to have a profound impact on her family. It is clear to me that if you knew Millie, you loved her. And she is someone who is incredibly missed.”
He added: “While it is not for me to comment on a sentencing, I hope Millie’s tragic death will focus people’s minds on the dangers of careless driving.”