Moment drugged-up driver hit M1 barrier then drove miles with missing wheel

A drug driver who ploughed into the central reservation of the M1 before continuing with a missing wheel has been jailed.

Omar Makhluf, 20, drove for several miles before finally pulling over at a service station near Milton Keynes [1], Buckinghamshire.

The crash happened on the motorway's northbound stretch after Toddington, Bedfordshire at around 3.30pm on February 16 last year.

Despite damage to his car, Makhluf, of Keel Close, Barking [2] in east London drove on three wheels and was then filmed getting out of the vehicle at junction 14 for Newport Pagnell.

Omar Makhluf, 20, drove for 15 miles along the M1 on three wheels (Thames Valley Police)

Omar Makhluf, 20, yawns during interview (Thames Valley Police)

When told the grounds for his arrest at the service station, he replied: "I didn't do dangerous driving." Advertisement Advertisement

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In police interview, Makhluf struggled to stay awake and yawned while officers questioned him.

At Aylesbury Crown Court [3], Makhluf pleaded guilty to dangerous driving whilst unfit through drugs.

He was sentenced to 22 months and disqualified for four years for this offence and other matters elsewhere in the country.

Investigating officer James Holmes, of Thames Valley Police [4]'s Roads Policing Unit, said: "This incident on the M1 could easily have had far more serious consequences, and we are thankful that no one was injured.

"Makhluf has now admitted his actions in court and has been sentenced. Dangerous driving puts lives at risk, and we remain committed to keeping our roads safe.

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"We encourage everyone to drive responsibly and safely."

The force added: "If you damage your vehicle while driving on a motorway, pull over to the side and alert police as soon as it is safe to do so."

References

^ Milton Keynes (www.standard.co.uk)
^ Barking (www.standard.co.uk)
^ Aylesbury Crown Court (www.standard.co.uk)
^ Thames Valley Police (www.standard.co.uk)