Truck driver who killed pregnant UK-based Nigerian nurse faces jail term

A truck driver who fatally struck UK-based Nigerian nurse Evelyn Brown and her unborn child in a devastating motorway accident is now facing jail.

Trevor Norgate, 58, was driving his heavy goods vehicle (HGV) when it veered onto the hard shoulder, colliding with Brown’s Kia Sorento.

The tragic incident occurred on the M8 westbound near Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh.

Dashcam footage captured the moment of impact, and the court heard that Norgate, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, already had six penalty points on his license for a previous mobile phone offense while driving.

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Appearing at the High Court in Glasgow, Norgate pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Evelyn Brown—known as Eve—was 34 weeks pregnant when she was killed. Her unborn child also did not survive. Prosecutors stated that Norgate had “allowed himself to become distracted” before the collision and should have noticed Brown’s stationary vehicle.

Norgate was remanded in custody and awaits sentencing next month, where he faces a potential prison term.

Originally from Nigeria, Brown moved to the UK in 2015. She worked as an agency nurse with Medline and had just finished a grueling 12-hour shift at East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington before the crash.

That morning, she had texted her sister to say she was on her way home. Meanwhile, Norgate had been driving his lorry after starting work at 4 a.m. and had complied with rest regulations.

Court proceedings included distressing footage of the crash, showing Brown’s car stationary on the hard shoulder with its lights on when Norgate’s truck collided with it.

After the impact, Norgate immediately called emergency services. A passing doctor attempted to administer first aid to Brown, while fire crews cut her from the wreckage. However, paramedics were unable to save her, as she had suffered fatal neck and chest injuries.

During police questioning, Norgate claimed he had adjusted his lane due to an obstruction in the road, but prosecutors stated there was no evidence to support this. Instead, dashcam footage reportedly showed a “slow, continuous motion” onto the hard shoulder with “no signs of driver interaction.”

Brown, who lived in Bellshill with her wheelchair-bound mother, leaves behind two young daughters, aged three and four.

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