A drink driver who caused a collision on the M4 before continuing his journey has been banned from driving for more than two years.
Jimmy McDonagh, 30, of Cyclamen Road, Emersons Green, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 27 May, where he admitted drink driving and failing to stop following a collision.
The offences stemmed from an incident in the early hours of 16 November last year on the westbound carriageway of the M4 near Membury Services.
According to Wiltshire Police, a woman was driving along the motorway when her vehicle was struck from behind by another car. The impact caused her vehicle to spin before coming to rest on the hard shoulder.
Despite the collision, the offending vehicle failed to stop and continued along the motorway.
Officers later located the damaged vehicle further along the M4 and found McDonagh sitting in the driver’s seat.
Police said he smelled strongly of alcohol and was unable to provide a roadside sample. He was arrested and taken into custody, where further tests revealed he was over the legal drink-drive limit.
He was subsequently charged with drink driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
Magistrates disqualified McDonagh from driving for 26 months. He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
Following the hearing, PC James Salmond, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said the case highlighted the serious consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drink driving,” he said.
“McDonagh showed a complete disregard for the safety of other road users, resulting in a collision with an innocent member of the public.
“We welcome the court’s decision to disqualify him from driving, and we hope it reinforces the message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
While no serious injuries were reported, police say the outcome could have been far worse given the speed of motorway traffic and the potential risks associated with collisions on major routes.
Wiltshire Police continues to encourage members of the public to report suspected drink drivers. Anyone who believes a motorist is driving under the influence is urged to call 101, or 999 if the incident is happening at the time, providing as much information as possible, including the vehicle description and direction of travel.
The force says information from the public remains one of the most effective tools in tackling dangerous driving and preventing potentially devastating collisions on the county’s roads.
