Leeds drink driver who jumped from moving van knocked himself out after running into tree to avoid police
He was left with permanent scar to his head
A drink driver who jumped out of a moving van during a police chase then ran into a tree, seriously injuring himself.
James Wilson only had an expired provisional licence, but came to the police’s attention when they spotted him “racing” with another vehicle.
The 38-year-old admitted dangerous driving and drink driving at Leeds Crown Court this week.
Officers had spotted the Vauxhall Vivaro on the evening on September 29 last year and suspected it was racing a small hatchback car, prosecutor Charles Creasey said.
The officers turned to pursue the van on the ring road at Seacroft, but Wilson put his foot down, ignoring red lights, swerving onto the wrong side of the road and reaching speeds of 60mph in 20mph residential zones.
He travelled along Ramshead Approach and Monkswood Rise where he took the van off-road and onto grass.
Wilson then jumped out of the van while it was still moving and tried to run for it, but failed to watch where he was going and slammed into the tree.
Dazed and bloodied, he was quickly detained by officers who could smell alcohol on him.
Taken to hospital with a head injury, he provided a sample which showed he had 128 mlgs of alcohol in 100 mls of blood. The legal limit is 80 mlgs.
Wilson, of Scotland Wood Road, Moortown, has six previous convictions for 10 offences, including aggravated vehicle taking and other driving matters.
Mitigating, Christian Mills said Wilson was “incredibly remorseful” and added: “He admits it was a stupid mistake, getting behind the wheel.
“There’s no excuse for it.”
He said Wilson was given the van to fix by a friend but could not explain why he was driving.
He said that he was knocked unconscious by the tree, cut badly and left with a scar. He added: “Had the police not been there, he could have died.”
He said the father-of-three was single after his long-term partner had left him. He had also lost his job due to drinking, but had since got it back.
Mr Mills added: “He is trying to turn his life around. There’s no excusing what was a stupid decision on the night but wants me to tell the court how sorry he is.”
The judge, Recorder Ruwena Khan told Wilson: “I have watched the [police car] footage, this was incredibly dangerous driving.
“It was frankly erratic. Effectively, you panicked and instead of stopping, your driving became worse.”
She handed him a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation days with probation and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement.
He was also fined £750 and given a 12-month driving ban. He must also take an extended retest to obtain his licence once the ban expires.