Man sentenced after dangerous driving episode resulted in near miss collision
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A man has been sentenced after his irresponsible behaviour and reckless actions whilst driving dangerously resulted in a family being inches away from serious injuries.
Patrick Williams, aged 33 and of Robins Gardens in Dorset, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday (Monday 14 February) where he was sentenced.
The Judge previously heard how a family were travelling along the A433 between Cirencester and Tetbury on Good Friday of last year (2 April 2021) when Williams' car skidded before rolling, flying through the air and narrowly missing them.
The Musty's had taken their teenage son on a driving lesson in the Cotswolds when the collision took place. Luckily they did not sustain any injuries but were shaken by what happened.
A number of witnesses at the scene had stopped to help and reported how Williams was abusive, sounded drunk and smelt strongly of alcohol so believed he had been drink driving.
One witness told officers how they had previously been overtaken by Williams on the outskirts of Tetbury and believed that he was driving recklessly, going around 80mph on a blind corner.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit attended the scene of the collision and asked Williams to provide a sample of breath for analysis at the roadside but he refused and was arrested.
He was later charged with dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance and failing to provide a sample of breath. He was due to stand trial at the end of March but pleaded guilty to the offences at the beginning of January.
Williams received a nine month sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 45 hours unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation, to pay £1000 in compensation and a victim surcharge of £156.
He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and required to take an extended driving test after this time.
Investigating officer PC Tim Griffiths said: "The Musty family are incredibly lucky to be alive today. They were literally inches away from being killed or very seriously hurt.
"Williams drove that day with a total disregard for other road users, driving from Cirencester to Wotton-under-Edge and back again, in a manner which can only be described as dangerous.
"Surprisingly the only visible damage to the Musty's Corsa was the chunks that were taken out of the alloy wheel, blue paint transfer from the glancing blow, dents from flying debris, a spare wheel and a 6 inch bolt that had been in the boot. The car was also sprayed with fluids from the Peugeot as well as grass and mud.
“I’d like to thank all of the witnesses who helped with our investigation as their comprehensive accounts of what happened have resulted in a successful prosecution and ultimately a guilty plea to all charges.
“Mr and Mrs Musty can be incredibly proud of their son for his actions that day, had it not been for his quick reactions and peace of mind that day he and his family could easily have been killed. He showed a level of calmness above his 17 years.”
Andrew Musty recalled how he felt that his family were within seconds of losing their lives when the crash happened.
He added: “My 17-year-old son was a learner driver and his quick reactions saved our lives; if he hadn’t swerved onto the verge, Williams' blue Peugeot would have crashed through our front windscreen as it flew through the air, and my son and my wife in the back of the car would probably have been killed.
"Immediately after the impact, I turned my head expecting to see my son motionless and covered in blood, but by some miracle Williams' flying car somehow skimmed us leaving only blue paint marks, scratches, and bullet-shaped dents from the flying debris, and my son escaped unscathed.
"This was a traumatic experience for all of us, and the flashbacks and nightmares are a constant reminder of how lucky we are to have survived."
