Drink driver sentenced after crashing into lorry on M4

Helen Bradshaw, of School Road in Crynant, Wales, collided with a lorry while driving her Peugeot near junction 16 of the M4 on February 4, and failed to stop at the scene. Police followed a trail of skid marks and plastic debris off the motorway. Officers found the 40-year-old revving her engine loudly while moving back and forth in a layby at around 10.30am.

Bradshaw's car sustained "substantial damage", but she initially told police she wasn't driving during the crash, before later admitting she was behind the wheel. A roadside breath test conducted by Roads Policing Sergeant Will Ayres found she was triple the legal alcohol limit, and she was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. READ MORE: Two-year-old hospitalised after crash near pub on key route[1]

The car after the crash on the M4 (Image: Wiltshire Police) Bradshaw pleaded guilty to the offence and driving without insurance at Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday, February 17. She was banned from driving for 20 months, ordered to pay GBP299, and was slapped with a 12-month community order. Sgt Ayres said: "It is shocking that despite the known dangers of drink driving, people are still willing to put themselves and others at risk.

"Bradshaw destroyed the front end of her car in a collision which could have ended far worse.

"Drink driving is one of the fatal five offences, all of which increase the risk of you being involved in a serious or fatal collision."

References

1. ^ READ MORE: Two-year-old hospitalised after crash near pub on key route (www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk)