Ilford drink driver given suspended sentence over A14 crash

Nilen Chauhan, from Ilford, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo when he slammed into the back of a Mitsubishi on the A14 in Cambridgeshire last year.

The 27-year-old was found to be almost three times over the legal drink drive limit, and had been seen by other motorists driving at speeds “well over 100mph” for about 10 miles before the crash.

The Mitsubishi driver survived the crash and was able to walk away, something which has been descried by police as “miraculous”.

Chauhan, of Westrow Gardens, admitted drink driving and driving a vehicle dangerously and has now been sentenced to 16-months in jail, suspended for two years.

Footage of the crash released following the court case, shows Chauhan’s vehicle travelling at speed and hitting the back of the car in front, with a bright flash of light against the central reservation soon after they collide.

The crash was also captured by a dashcam in the cab of an HGV driver, who swore and exclaimed “Jesus Christ! Oh my God!”.

A loud bang is heard in the dashcam footage, and the Mitsubishi is seen rolling then skidding along the motorway on its roof, with smoke pouring from it and a stream of bright orange sparks.

CCTV caught the incident on camera (Image: PA)

The driver of the Mitsubishi, whose head was covered in blood, managed to walk away from the collision, which happened at about 6.35am on September 14 last year.

Witnesses said they had seen Chauhan weaving between lanes and cutting other vehicles up at speeds of “well over 100mph” for about 10 miles before the crash, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The force said several empty beer bottles and a bottle of whisky were found inside Chauhan’s car.

He was breath tested at the roadside and recorded 104 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, over the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol.

Pc Ben Patten said: “This was not a momentary lapse in concentration or an honest mistake, it was a prolonged period of driving at excessive speed, tailgating and undertaking vehicles, all while well over the drink-drive limit.

“The victim who was hit by Chauhan suffered many physical and mental injuries and it is miraculous neither he or another innocent member of the public going about their daily business was not more seriously injured or worse.”

Chauhan has also been given a three-year driving ban and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. After the ban, he must also take an extended driving test.

Reporting by PA.