M4 Wiltshire crash: Drink driver banned after miracle escape

Aaron Watkins, 31, of Pellau Road, Port Talbot, wrecked his car in the incident near Junction 16 for Royal Wootton Bassett at around 1.35am on August 13.

Police said the car struck a tree before ending up overturned on the side of the eastbound carriageway and released pictures of the significant damage caused to the mangled vehicle.

They tweeted: “Miraculously the lone occupant wasn’t seriously injured, thankfully they hit a tree and not another vehicle.”

Although Watkins managed to escape serious injury, he was later charged with drink driving.

The damage to Aaron Watkins’ car after the crash on the M4 (Image: Wiltshire Police)

In a hearing on Wednesday (August 30), Watkins pleaded guilty to the charge and he has now been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for three-and-a-half years.

He has also been fined £100 and is required to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £40.

Wiltshire Police have now launched a road safety campaign to raise awareness of what they call the fatal five offences: speeding, drink and drug driving, using a phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and dangerous driving.

All of these offences significantly increase the risk of a serious or fatal collision and could cost somebody their life.