A 32‑year‑old driver from Boston, Lincolnshire, was handed an 11‑year‑plus prison term after his habit of watching TikTok videos while behind the wheel led to a collision that killed toddler Finley Baker and left his sister seriously injured. The sentencing took place on June 11, 2025, at Lincoln Crown Court, where Judge Andrew Easteal called the conduct “entirely selfish and preventable.”

March 19, 2025 Crash Near Lincolnshire Road Claims a Toddler’s Life

On the evening of March 19, 2025, Iliev was driving on a rural road when he rear‑ended a family car carrying 20‑month‑old Finley Baker, his 8‑year‑old sibling Finley, and their mother Chloe.. The impact forced the family vehicle into a third car, causing catastrophic injuries to the children. Finley died two days later in hospital, while his sister required multiple surgeries for severe shoulder damage. The court record, as reported by the source, notes that police recovered Iliev’s phone showing a TikTok video playing seconds before the crash.

Judge Andrew Easteal’s 11‑Year‑3‑Month Sentence and Seven‑Year Driving Ban

Judge Andrew Easteal sentenced Iliev to 11 years and 3 months in prison and imposed a seven‑year driving prohibition after his release. In his remarks, the judge emphasized that the sentence serves as a “strong message that such negligence will not be tolerated.” According to the source,Iliev pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, charges that carried the maximum custodial terms.

Police Evidence Confirms TikTok Was Playing at Time of Impact

Detective Sergeant Perring of Lincolnshire Police testified that investigators examined Iliev’s electronic devices and confirmed a TikTok video was playing in the seconds before the collision .. He said, “This collision was due to the dangerous driving of Iliev when he selfishly paid no attention to his driving as he watched videos on his devices.” The police statement, cited in the source, underscores that the driver’s distraction was directly linked to the fatal outcome.

Family’s £10,000 Fundraiser and Road‑Safety Advocacy

Finley’s parents launhed a crowdfunding campaign that raised over £10,000 for the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance, the service that responded to the crash. They have since become vocal advocates for stricter dsitracted‑driving penalties and for technology firms to block video playback while a device is in motion. The source notes their public statements urging drivers to “put down the phone and focus on the road.”

Unanswered Issue: Will Tech Companies Adopt Mandatory Video‑Lock Features?

The case has sparked calls for legislation requiring smartphones and streaming devices to disable video playback when a vehicle is moving,but no concrete proposals have yet been introduced. As the source points out, the family’s appeal for “technology companies to implement features that prevent video playback while a device is moving” remains unaddressed by regulators.