Wiltshire drink driver banned after crash with children in the car

Simon Wright, 43, of Parklands, Malmesbury, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, July 26 and pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and drink driving.

Wright was driving an Audi RS4 with a front seat passenger and children in the vehicle from Malmesbury to Little Somerford at 4:30pm on March 25, 2023.

He was seen to exit Priory roundabout at such speed having overtaken two vehicles that he lost control of the car and skidded into oncoming traffic, colliding with another vehicle.

When emergency services attended the scene, Wright failed a breath test

Wright was given a two-year driving disqualification and an 18 month suspended prison sentence.

He sustained several injuries and it is believed his front seat passenger was also injured, while the children were uninjured but treated for shock.

PC Luke Hobbs, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This standard of driving, especially whilst under the influence of alcohol, is totally unacceptable on our roads and poses a significant danger to other road users. The fact that there were young children also in the vehicle at the time does not bare thinking about.

“Dangerous driving and drink driving are two of the fatal five offences most likely to cause serious harm or death on our roads and we are 100 per cent dedicated to targeting those committing these offences in order to keep our roads safe.

“We all know alcohol can give you a false sense of confidence and unfortunately all too often we see drivers getting behind the wheel of a car having consumed alcohol under the impression they are invincible. It should not take a serious collision like this to understand the serious consequences of your actions if you are one of these people.

“I am pleased that as a result of his selfish and mindless actions, Wright has been banned from our roads.”

The driver and the passenger of the second vehicle were admitted to hospital but not seriously injured.

He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,000 in compensation and a £187 surcharge free.