Driver charged with killing family

4:59pm Thursday 23rd October 2008

A Portuguese HGV driver has been charged with six counts of death by dangerous driving after a family were killed on the M6.

Paulo Jorge Nogueira da Silva, 46, was charged over the deaths of David and Michelle Statham, from Llandudno, and their four children.

Da Silva, of Calle Romero, Tutana, Murcia, in Spain, is due to appear before magistrates in Crewe.

Chef Mr Statham, 38, and his 33-year-old wife were returning home to Llandudno with their children on Monday night when the crash happened.

Their silver people carrier was struck in a five-vehicle pile-up between junctions 16 and 17 on the northbound carriageway.

The couple - who had been together for 19 years - died at the scene along with sons Reece, 13, Jay, nine, Mason, 20 months, and 10-week-old baby daughter Ellouise.

Tributes poured in for the popular family who moved to the North Wales seaside town four years ago from Birmingham.

Neighbours described them as six beautiful people and relatives issued touching photographs of the family.