A lorry driver has been jailed for six years after causing a fireball crash on the A420 near Swindon that killed a popular milkman.
Barry Archer, 44, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court today (Thursday) after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving – having earlier been convicted by a jury.
The crash happened at around 3am on Thursday (16 July 2020), when Archer’s white Mercedes lorry crossed the double white lines onto the wrong side of the A420 between Buckland and Pusey.
It struck a white Ford Transit van – a milk float – driven by 64-year-old Thomas Glancy, known as Tom, who was travelling towards Swindon.
Mr Glancy died at the scene. Both vehicles caught fire and were destroyed.
Archer, of Holroyd Road, Claygate, Surrey, was arrested at the scene and later charged by postal requisition on 15 June 2023.
He admitted causing death by careless driving in July 2023, but this was not accepted by the prosecution. His trial began later that year but was adjourned when he became unwell.
Mr Glancy’s widow, Brenda, said: “We are grateful that this case has finally come to an end, but no sentence will ever be enough because we are serving a life sentence without Tom.
“Tom was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was the heart of our family, generous, kind, and always ready to help others.
“He loved tending his allotment, sharing his homemade marmalade, watching musicals and films, and taking pride in his work.
“He gave so much of himself to those around him, and his absence is felt every single day.
“We miss him deeply. The pain of losing him will never fade.”
Detective Constable Belinda Simpson, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with Tom Glancy’s wife Brenda, his four children and his extended family.
“They have had to wait far too long for justice to be served, following Barry Archer’s not guilty plea in July 2023.
“Tom was a much-loved milkman in the local area and he was proud to be an essential key worker during Covid.
“Although we may never know the exact cause of the collision, be that sleep, distraction or inattention, as a professional driver, Archer should never have been on the wrong side of the road for such an extended period.
“We will continue to robustly investigate the causes of fatal road traffic collisions as we work towards reducing the number of collisions and casualties on our roads.”
