Drug-driver crashes head-on into lorry in distressing dashcam footage

This is the moment a drug-driver smashed head-on into a lorry while overtaking a car. Michael Wilkinson's 'dangerous' actions behind the wheel of a blue Citroen resulted in multiple injuries, with one casualty being airlifted to hospital.

Distressing dash-cam footage showed the 45-year-old crossing solid white lines on the A488 in Hanwood, Shropshire, before crashing into the HGV on August 16, 2021. Three people were hospitalised due to their injuries, including one who was taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital^[1] by air ambulance.

One of the first police officers at the scene admitted they were "surprised" there were no fatalities, while the driver of the lorry said he was still "having trauma pain" two years on. Following a "lengthy investigation" West Mercia Police charged Wilkinson with driving under the influence of drugs, driving whilst disqualified, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and having no insurance.

Wilkinson, of The Crescent, Monfort Bridge, was sentenced to four years and two months during a hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday, October 31. PC Wootton, from the force's serious collision investigation unit, said: “As investigating officer, I would like to thank everyone involved for their help, especially the patience of the two victims involved for the time that it has taken to get this matter to court. This is a satisfactory sentence and means we have taken a dangerous driver off the roads of West Mercia.

"I was one of the initial officers that attended the scene and was surprised that this collision was not a fatality. Drug driving is one of the national targets in trying to reduce road deaths and I hope this sentence sends out a message before drivers consider getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and driving whilst under the influence of drugs."

Andy Melbourne, the driver of the lorry involved in the collision, added: “Thank you for all the help, professionalism and support shown from all the West Mercia Roads Policing Officers involved in the investigation. As a result of the collision, I am still having trauma pain and receiving medical treatment that may last the rest of my life. The male found guilty showed no response to drug driving, but I am pleased with the result at Shrewsbury Crown Court."

Wilkinson was also banned from driving for five years, one month. He must take an extended driving test before reclaiming his licence.

References

1. ^{^} Queen Elizabeth Hospital (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Man found guilty of murdering 'lifelong Walsall FC fan' in Blackpool (www.birminghammail.co.uk)