Shocking moment speeding driver flies through red light and ploughs into car

Published: 01:59, 8 October 2025 | Updated: 02:01, 8 October 2025

A speeding driver slammed headfirst into a car at a motorway junction after flying through the red light.

Dashcam footage shows Darren Marshall, 48, coming off the M40 to Handy Cross roundabout near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire on May 19, 2023.

Instead of stopping at the lights, Marshall, from Worthing in West Sussex, hits the accelerator to change lanes and ploughs into another motorist.

The car aggressively veers onto the outer lane before its collision with the unsuspecting vehicle which causes a plume of dark grey smoke to immediately engulf its surroundings.

Both vehicles are violently rocked by the crash with Marshall's car even causing nearby trees to shake.

The victims of the collision, in the other car, are said to have suffered serious injuries.

Marshall was given an eight-year driving ban and a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving.

He will also need to take an enhanced test at the end of his disqualification.

Dashcam footage shows Darren Marshall, 48, come off the M40 to Handy Cross roundabout near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire on May 19, 2023

Instead of stopping at the lights, Marshall, from Worthing in West Sussex, hits the accelerator to change lanes and ploughs into another motorist

Both vehicles are violently rocked by the crash with Marshall's car even causing nearby trees to shake

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: 'This incident is a stark reminder of how reckless behaviour behind the wheel can change lives in an instant.

'Please, drive safely and think of others on the road.'

Only last August a Kia hatchback driver was seen speeding down a residential road in Manchester, before hitting the kerb, taking out a lamppost and flipping over onto the roof [2].

Emergency services rushed to the scene but luckily the two passengers managed to escape without serious injury.

Two parked cars were also struck by the white hatchback.

Abdul Kadar Sarfraz, 25, who owns the garage opposite the crash site and was servicing the two vehicles, said he thought there had been an explosion when he heard the collision.

The business owner of the shop added he was shocked nobody had been seriously injured in the crash, but warned it is only a matter of time before someone died.

And the same month, more shocking footage showed a 100mph police chase on country roads that ended in a three-vehicle crash and jail for the driver.

In August, after several near-misses, Marlon Henriques crashed into a white Citroen van - sending it flying into a hedge

Henriques, who police called one of the 'worst drivers' they'd ever seen, eventually had the tyres of his vehicle punctured by a stinger device (he is seen being arrested)

Marlon Henriques, 30, of Tidworth, Wiltshire, drove at speeds of over 85mph on 30mph roads

Marlon Henriques, 30, of Tidworth, Wiltshire, drove at speeds of over 85mph on 30mph roads while dangerously weaving in and out his lane [3] while overtaking.

After several near-misses, Henriques finally crashed into a white Citroen van - sending it flying into a hedge - before hitting the back of a police firearms vehicle.

The 30-year-old had failed to stop after being caught driving at nearly double the speed limit, instead leading police on a hair-raising pursuit.

Henriques, who police called one of the 'worst drivers' they'd ever seen, eventually had the tyres of his vehicle - which didn't even belong to him - punctured by a stinger device.

He was subsequently jailed for nearly two years for his dangerous driving, which put 'numerous lives in danger'.

Manchester [4]

References

^ NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ hitting the kerb, taking out a lamppost and flipping over onto the roof (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ weaving in and out his lane (www.dailymail.co.uk)
^ Manchester (www.dailymail.co.uk)