Two men have been found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of four counts of manslaughter, following the tipper truck crash on Lansdown Lane in Bath in February 2015.
It brings to an end a 22-month complex police investigation, supported the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Four people, including a four-year-old girl, died on 9th February after a 32 tonne tipper truck went out of control while travelling into Weston village via Lansdown Lane.
The lorry struck a number of vehicles, pedestrians and roadside traffic signage and only came a stop when it toppled onto its side.
In addition to the four people who died, a number of people were seriously injured.
Those who died were Mitzi Steady, aged four from Bath; Robert Parker, aged 59 from Cwmbran; Phillip Allen, aged 52 from Swansea; and Stephen Vaughan, aged 34, also from Swansea.

From left to right: Mitzi Steady, Stephen Vaughan, Robert Parker and Phil Allen.
The court was told that Mitzi was with her grandmother Margaret Rogers. They were crossing the road with the traffic lights on red for vehicles and the green man illuminated for pedestrians. They were hit by the lorry whose brakes had failed. Mitzi died and her grandmother suffered life-changing injuries.
At the end of a four week trial a jury convicted Matthew Gordon (the owner of Grittenham Haulage and a driver) and mechanic Peter Wood guilty of four counts of gross negligence manslaughter.
Driver Phillip Potter, 19, was cleared of all charges.
The investigation was led by the Brunel Major Crime Team. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency was a key partner during the investigation and provided expert mechanical and maintenance advice throughout the case.
They showed that the company had flouted regulations which are in place to ensure the safety of the public. Vehicles were signed off as being roadworthy, even though there were longstanding faults.
The condition of the brakes on the lorry at the time of the crash was totally inadequate, with an overall efficiency of just 28 per cent.
After the hearing senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Rich Ocone said: “Our investigation revealed a shocking picture of a company culture with complete disregard of safety and maintenance. This was a company with a very casual attitude towards safety.
“If there is a message which needs to come from this tragic incident, it is that company owners must adhere to a duty of care to the public.
“The public have an expectation to trust that businesses ensure that they are operating safely. Regular maintenance and servicing of all vehicles – but especially heavy goods vehicles is vital.
“Finally, I would like to thank the local community for all their support and the strength of character demonstrated since that terrible evening of 9 February 2014. Weston is a close-knit community, which rallied around to support those involved.
“I hope that the conviction of these men now allows all these people and the families who lost loved ones or relatives who were injured following this horrific incident in February of last year that today’s decision will help to provide some form of closure to a very difficult time in their lives,” said DCI Ocone.
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s first priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
“It’s the responsibility of drivers and operators to make sure that their vehicle is roadworthy at all times and anyone who fails to do so is putting themselves and other users at risk.
“Our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this totally avoidable incident.”
The two men will be sentenced on 27th January.
The families of the four people who died have paid tribute to them. Sian Vaughan, wife of Stephen Vaughan, said: “Steve and I did not get nearly enough time together. As heartbroken as I am, I am equally grateful for the life that we shared.
“In the last 22 months of complete unexpected hell and the darkest saddest moments of my life, I know how lucky I had been to be Steve’s wife.
“On the day I walked down the aisle with Steve, if someone had told me this was to happen and that he was to have been taken away from me, I would have still walked down the aisle; because four years of being part of Steve’s life was more luck and happiness than I could have ever imagined.
“When I buried Steve, his body left us but his spirit, his soul and his amazing ability to give is still with us: It lives on in the stories people share of how he touched their lives.
“He is missed every day by his family and all those who knew him.”
Denise Parker, wife of Robert Parker, said: “Robert was a wonderful, kind, caring husband; a truly amazing Dad and a loving brother.
“He was taken from us so suddenly, with no time to say goodbye. In my personal opinion this tragedy could have so easily been avoided if people had just done the right thing.
“I can only hope that something is done to stop this ever happening again.
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Avon & Somerset Police, in particular our family liaison officers, and the prosecuting legal team.
“I would also like to thank everyone at Western Power Distribution, family, dear friends and neighbours for their sympathy and support during this difficult time. Robert will remain forever in our hearts.
Louise Allen, wife of Philip Allen, said: “Phil was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed life.
“That life was taken away from him in horrific circumstances by those responsible.
“Our family life has been destroyed. We miss him so much all the time. This tragedy should never have happened.
“I would like to thank all those involved in the investigation, for their hard work and ensuring justice has now been done.”
The family of Mitzi Steady said: “Mitzi was an outgoing, fun, beautiful girl whose confidence and independence had grown to a new level in the months before she was killed, allowing us to glimpse the girl that she should have become.
“Nothing can bring her back and we will miss her every day for the rest of our lives.
“We urge all those involved in safety sensitive industries to ensure they know and follow relevant rules and guidance, and report failure to do so to owners and authorities until action is taken.
“This verdict sends a clear message that where non-compliance results in injury or death, excuses and lies will not stand in court and serve only to cause further upset to victims’ families.
“We urge all councils to ensure they have the right road prohibitions in place for the present day, and regularly review safety on roads around all schools in their area.
“Lastly we would like to sincerely thank the police, victim support, prosecution team and expert mechanics who have worked so hard and with such skill and professionalism on this case over the last two years.”