Police crash into delivery driver as van heads wrong way up M6 for 11 miles

Dangerous driver Ryan Irvine has been jailed after he drove on the wrong side of the M6 ^[1] for more than 10 miles. The 21-year-old delivery driver had pulled in at Stafford Services ^[2] as he journeyed south to London.

But he re-entered the motorway the same way he had entered the services and drove northbound on the southbound carriageway between junctions 14 and 15. Police 'tactically' crashed into his van to stop him before they pulled him out of the vehicle.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court ^[3] heard had the van been allowed to continue there could have been a fatality or serious injury.

Now Irvine - who blamed his driving on 'sheer exhaustion' - has been jailed for 12 months. Prosecutor James Hudson said the defendant drove northbound on the southbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 14 and 15 at 4.15am on November 17.

READ: The naked man who stood on Hanley roundabout for a £20 dare James Lee, 35, of Newcastle, shocked passing motorists by parading in his birthday suit for a bet^[4]

READ: A500 police chase sees Audi driver 'play chicken' as cars forced to swerve Michael Doherty, 31, was jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court^[5]

Mr Hudson said: "There were nine calls to the police. The defendant was driving at between 70mph and 80mph in the opposite direction to traffic.

"The police ultimately had to tactically collide with the defendant's vehicle in order to stop him. That slowed the vehicle down and it came to a stop 40 metres up the road.

"There was a block so members of the public were stopped and protected. The officer said it was obvious the driver had no intention of stopping. He said he was aware members of the public were behind them and had they continued it would have hit them head on. Had the van been allowed to continue there could have been a fatality or serious injury.

"When the officers approached the van the door was locked but the engine was running. They banged on the door. The defendant reached for the gear stick and the engine began to rev. They smashed the window with the batons. He was pulled from the vehicle. He was arrested. His reply was, 'I am sick'."

Irvine, of Fort Hill Drive, New Town Abbey, Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Jason Holt, mitigating, said Irvine was a delivery driver and had a full, clean licence. He said: "There was no suggestion of any involvement with drink or drugs. This occurred as a result of utter exhaustion, having worked, having been awake for 24 hours. He started at 6am the day before.

"After doing an 11-hour shift he was told he had to take items to the mainland. He caught the ferry over. He was told if he did not he would not retain his employment. Such was his desire to retain his employment he agreed. He can only put his actions down to sheer exhaustion.

"He says he has no recollection from Manchester. He was delivering to London. He got on at Stafford and was stopped at junction 15."

Mr Holt added that Irvine's grandad died this month but his client still attended the court hearing.

Judge Michael Maher said: "You travelled about 10 or 11 miles northbound on the southbound carriageway in the wrong direction on the motorway before you were stopped.

"Even though you say you were tired it must have been obvious that you were going in the wrong direction. But you ploughed on. You put yourself and other members of the public, including children, at a colossal risk of serious injury and death.

"You had no intention of stopping. A decision was made to tactically collide with the vehicle to protect the public. It caused the thick end of £14,000 damage. This is not a borderline case. This is just too serious to suspend."

The judge banned Irvine from driving for two-and-a-half years.

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References

^{^} the M6 (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Stafford Services (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} The naked man who stood on Hanley roundabout for a £20 dare (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} A500 police chase sees Audi driver 'play chicken' as cars forced to swerve (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
^{^} COURT AND CRIME NEWSLETTER: Sign up for email (data.reachplc.com)
^{^} alerts direct to your inbox (data.reachplc.com)