Jean Eastwood, 66, was killed in Rishton, Lancashire, in an accident involving a Hyndburn borough council vehicle on 14 May, 2007 (see letsrecycle.com story).
In June 2008, the driver, Kevin Slattery, was acquitted by magistrates of driving without due care and attention.
Police investigation
But in January 2016 it emerged that Mr Slattery had told a colleague he did not hold the correct HGV classification on his driving licence at the time of the incident.
Steve Riley, the council’s head of waste services, was suspended from his post pending investigation.
According to the council, this information was immediately passed onto the police who launched a second investigation, which concluded in June 2016 without any charges being brought against the driver or head of waste services.
A Hyndburn council spokesperson said: “Mr Riley was suspended in January to allow the Police to look into the circumstances surrounding this incident. That investigation has been very thorough and has concluded that no further charges should be brought.”
Council investigation
Hyndburn council subsequently launched its own investigation, concluding that no further charges would be made against Mr Riley, as he was not in his post at the time.
The spokesperson said: “the council undertook its own investigation which has determined that Mr. Riley, who was not the Head of Service at the time of the accident, cannot reasonably be held responsible for the lapse in the drivers licence and that there is no failure on his part to take appropriate action.”
The driver, Mr Slattery ceased to be an employee of the council in November 2015, before the information about the lapse in his licence was brought to light.
Review
The spokesperson added: “The council has rigorously reviewed its systems and procedures for driver licence checks to ensure that this does not happen again.
“Mr Slattery was a very experienced and qualified HGV driver but as a result of a failure to submit the 5 yearly medical evidence required by the DVLA when he reached the age of 45 years, the vocational part of the licence lapsed.
“A few months after the accident, in December 2007, Mr Slattery submitted the necessary evidence to DVLA and his vocational classification was immediately reinstated.
“It is clear from the investigations that have taken place that there is no evidence to suggest that his manager Mr. Riley acted in any way inappropriately and we are therefore pleased that he will be resuming his duties with us very shortly.”
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