A GRANDFATHER died four months after a drug addict who was on the phone at the wheel smashed into his car at 60mph.

Emmanuel Prodano, 46, from Kilburn, North London, was on the way to visit his children and grandchildren in Laindon when a Ford Focus ploughed into the back of his daughter’s Smart car, which he was driving.

He was rushed to hospital for treatment and died four months later - in September - as a result of his injuries.

The Ford Focus driver, Lee Squibb, 44, of Redgrave Road, Basildon, sobbed as he heard statements read out by the Prodano family.

The impact of the crash, which took place on the A127 on May 5 last year, threw the Smart car forwards and caused it to end up facing the wrong way round in the next lane.

Judge John Lodge told Basildon Crown Court that CCTV showed no evidence of Squibb attempting to brake to avoid the collision. He added that the footage was “too graphic” to show the court.

Michael Williams, prosecuting, said witnesses found Squibb’s mobile in the footwell of his car.

His urine also tested positive for cocaine, morphine and codeine - and he admitted that he had taken heroin which contained cocaine the night before the crash.

It is unclear what effect this had on his driving.

Squibb, who broke his back in the crash, had not informed the DVLA he was being treated for his heroin addiction.

In statements read out to the court room, Emmanuel’s family described him as someone who always loved a laugh and was now a “bright star in the sky.”

One statement read: “I keep thinking he is going to jump out from behind the door and say it was all a sick joke. I wish I could tell him how much I loved him.”

Referring to Squibb, it added: “I can never forgive you.”

His partner said: “You were my first and only true love. We built a home together and created amazing, spiritual children but you will now miss out on seeing their milestones as they graduate, marry and have children.”

Squibb was jailed for three years and four months, and banned from driving for six years and eight months, after admitting death by dangerous driving.