Man watched TikToks before crash which killed toddler in Sleaford
Hristo Iliev has been jailed for 11 years
A driver who used TikTok in the moments before a crash which caused the death of a 20 month old boy near Sleaford has been jailed.
Hristo Iliev, 32, of Hide Close, Boston, has been jailed for 11 years and three months after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Iliev was driving on the A17 towards Holdingham Roundabout on 19 March 2025 when he failed to react to slow-moving traffic ahead.
His Volkswagen Passat crashed into the back of a Kia Ceed, which was then pushed into an Audi.
20-month-old Finley Baker, who was in the Kia, suffered serious injuries and died two days later.
His mother, Chloe Baker, suffered serious shoulder injuries which required major reconstructive surgery.
Finley's eight-year-old brother, who was also in the car, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Officers seized two mobile phones that Iliev had in the car.
Analysis of the phones showed that in the seven minutes before the collision, the phones had both been used.
Investigators found one of the phones had been used to access TikTok and Apple TV.
Crucially, a TikTok video was found to have been playing in the moments before the crash.
Iliev has also been banned from driving for 10 years and six months and must pass an extended driving test before being allowed back behind the wheel.
Detective Sergeant James Perring, from our Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision was due to the dangerous driving of Iliev when he selfishly paid no attention to his driving as he watched videos on his devices. Those actions cost a young toddler his life and seriously injured another, destroying lives in a way which can never be undone.
“The importance of concentration and not being distracted cannot be overstated. This was a wholly preventable collision, and I feel nothing but disappointment for the way he has so pointlessly destroyed lives. I would implore anybody thinking of behaving in the same way never to do so.”