Dangerous driver jailed after crashing into a police car guarding a scene
This is the moment a reckless driver was brought to a stop, after he pushed through miles of traffic which had been brought to a standstill at the scene of a fatal collision, and sped off in the wrong direction.
Craig Roach, 42, of Croespenmaen, Caerphilly County Borough, forced his way through the traffic on the A465 near Resolven on Friday evening (September 8), and failed to stop despite a direction by officers who were in attendance at a collision, in which a local man lost his life.
A short pursuit entailed, further directions for Roach to stop the vehicle, before he exited the A465 on the Abderdulais on-slip and drove at head-on and at speed into a stationary unmarked police car, which had its emergency lights illuminated.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, though substantial damage was caused to the police vehicle.
Roach was arrested at the scene and was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, fail to provide an evidential sample and breach of a restraining order.
Roach pled guilty to all charges, and he was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment at Swansea Crown Court.
Sergeant Richard Coulthard, an officer in the case, said: “Roach’s actions on that evening really do beggar belief. We know delays can be frustrating for other motorists, but the vast majority of the public understands and shows compassion and patience, knowing that on many occasions, there is likely to be someone injured or worse.
“On this particular occasion a man had indeed lost his life, and yet Roach showed a complete disregard for that, and for himself, his passenger and other motorists. In doing so he put further lives and risks, and subsequently ended up adding to those delays experienced by other motorists.”
