Drink driver, leaving an accident...
Discussion
So a little drive out turned slightly different.
Sat at a traffic lighted junction, directly behind the car at the front waiting to go with no other cars around, a large van turning right crashes straight into the side of the car in front of me luckily doesn't hit me at all but a loud bang none the less!
It appears to slow down somewhat but then puts his foot down, driving all over the road.
I quickly span around to follow and get the number plate, 999 etc.
The vehicle then drives the worst two miles of uncontrollable driving I had ever seen, by which point the car that got hit was up behind me. It drives into a housing estate and proceeds to stop where the driver of the other vehicle and my friend attempted to confront the driver got the most slurry response before he proceeds to drive over the pavement to get round the car that had been hit. We let the driver know we would follow the vehicle as I'd of been rather distressed in their position.
The van then joins a section of 40 and 50mph dual carriage way which I'd estimate was driving in excess of 80mph all over the road. Failed to stop at the roundabout for an oncoming car, unsurprisingly.
It then heads into a 30mph zone on the wrong side of the road. He then stops and turns all lights off for about 1 minute before then driving off again. This road rejoins the dual carriageway section, so he just done a large circle.
It joins the dual carriageway again in the same manner of driving, before negotiating 3 roundabouts to join a NSL dual carriage way continuing to drive all over both lanes, I drove in the middle of both lanes to stop any vehicles passing, leaving sufficient space should it of crashed. It then exits having completed another loop of the area, this time heading back where we have just come from.
It travels another mile and parks up, we stopped about 30 meters away in a rather dark area but just enough to see clothing etc where he locks the vehicle and disappears.
One of the most adrenaline filled 20 minutes of my life.
The first police vehicle appears 2 minutes later which has come from 20 miles away, give the PC a run down and point to where he went. Has a quick look around to see if he's hiding anywhere shame he didn't have to get one of the dogs out
a couple more cars arrive and 6 of them enter the building, kicking on a door. To no success, they came back after about 10 minutes took some details from me and my friend and gave us a little run down of what was what and we left.
An hour later they called up and asked if I was available for a statement.
They smashed his door in and arrested him, after a 4 page statement and one phone call from custody I overheard the PC, he blew over 110 in both samples of breath.
Said they were very grateful that we followed the vehicle and that our statements would be very beneficial as the driver of the car that got hit was on their own.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give a good understanding of what happened.
I understand their are a number of variables but what do you think they will receive for:
dangerous driving(?)/leaving an accident(?)/driving over the limit(?)
Sat at a traffic lighted junction, directly behind the car at the front waiting to go with no other cars around, a large van turning right crashes straight into the side of the car in front of me luckily doesn't hit me at all but a loud bang none the less!
It appears to slow down somewhat but then puts his foot down, driving all over the road.
I quickly span around to follow and get the number plate, 999 etc.
The vehicle then drives the worst two miles of uncontrollable driving I had ever seen, by which point the car that got hit was up behind me. It drives into a housing estate and proceeds to stop where the driver of the other vehicle and my friend attempted to confront the driver got the most slurry response before he proceeds to drive over the pavement to get round the car that had been hit. We let the driver know we would follow the vehicle as I'd of been rather distressed in their position.
The van then joins a section of 40 and 50mph dual carriage way which I'd estimate was driving in excess of 80mph all over the road. Failed to stop at the roundabout for an oncoming car, unsurprisingly.
It then heads into a 30mph zone on the wrong side of the road. He then stops and turns all lights off for about 1 minute before then driving off again. This road rejoins the dual carriageway section, so he just done a large circle.
It joins the dual carriageway again in the same manner of driving, before negotiating 3 roundabouts to join a NSL dual carriage way continuing to drive all over both lanes, I drove in the middle of both lanes to stop any vehicles passing, leaving sufficient space should it of crashed. It then exits having completed another loop of the area, this time heading back where we have just come from.
It travels another mile and parks up, we stopped about 30 meters away in a rather dark area but just enough to see clothing etc where he locks the vehicle and disappears.
One of the most adrenaline filled 20 minutes of my life.
The first police vehicle appears 2 minutes later which has come from 20 miles away, give the PC a run down and point to where he went. Has a quick look around to see if he's hiding anywhere shame he didn't have to get one of the dogs out
a couple more cars arrive and 6 of them enter the building, kicking on a door. To no success, they came back after about 10 minutes took some details from me and my friend and gave us a little run down of what was what and we left.An hour later they called up and asked if I was available for a statement.
They smashed his door in and arrested him, after a 4 page statement and one phone call from custody I overheard the PC, he blew over 110 in both samples of breath.
Said they were very grateful that we followed the vehicle and that our statements would be very beneficial as the driver of the car that got hit was on their own.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give a good understanding of what happened.
I understand their are a number of variables but what do you think they will receive for:
dangerous driving(?)/leaving an accident(?)/driving over the limit(?)
Just to clarify a couple of areas from my perspective.
They didn't ask any questions about my driving.
I wouldn't want to put my car in a position to risk damage.
I knew the driver of the car that got damaged was ok because it proceeded to turn around.
If I was the driver of the car, I don't think I would be in the right mindset to follow a vehicle directly after a crash.
I kept a safe distance making sure no one else was at risk bar the driver where I possibly could.
I specifically said to the call handler do you want me to follow and they stated yes.
Regular updates were provided to them, road/directions, speed, driving, other road users etc etc.
I can't recite the full conversation but there was some permission/discussion with a sergeant somewhere along the line.
I could have prevented a serious accident on a NSL dual carriageway, therefore I feel following was justified.
By no means a hero, but I did what I saw as a good deed for the day.
They didn't ask any questions about my driving.
I wouldn't want to put my car in a position to risk damage.
I knew the driver of the car that got damaged was ok because it proceeded to turn around.
If I was the driver of the car, I don't think I would be in the right mindset to follow a vehicle directly after a crash.
I kept a safe distance making sure no one else was at risk bar the driver where I possibly could.
I specifically said to the call handler do you want me to follow and they stated yes.
Regular updates were provided to them, road/directions, speed, driving, other road users etc etc.
I can't recite the full conversation but there was some permission/discussion with a sergeant somewhere along the line.
I could have prevented a serious accident on a NSL dual carriageway, therefore I feel following was justified.
By no means a hero, but I did what I saw as a good deed for the day.
Breadvan72 said:
1. Listen to the question and answer that question and only that question.
2. Be concise and responsive.
3. Say only what you know.
3. Don't try verbal sparring.
Most importantly
4. Tell the truth.
Thank you, never been a witness so will help with confidence in Crown Court.2. Be concise and responsive.
3. Say only what you know.
3. Don't try verbal sparring.
Most importantly
4. Tell the truth.
He pleaded guilty to all charges last week and I didn't need to attend court- sentenced straight away.
16 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years for dangerous driving, drink driving and leaving scene of an accident.
6 month 7pm-7am curfew
3 year driving ban.
Retake test after ban.
Thank you for all the positive words and advice!
16 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years for dangerous driving, drink driving and leaving scene of an accident.
6 month 7pm-7am curfew
3 year driving ban.
Retake test after ban.
Thank you for all the positive words and advice!
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