Plymouth man caused massive pile-up and sent family into hedge

A driver suffering from mental illness triggered a significant collision on the M5 near Cullompton, after overtaking 39 vehicles and reaching speeds of 102mph. Jamie Poyntz, who caused injuries to seven individuals, was responsible for sending a car with a family on holiday veering into a hedge, as reported in court.

The most severely injured was a 66-year-old woman who sustained a dislocated elbow. Miraculously, a baby seated beside her, although found hanging upside down in its car seat, was unharmed.

Poyntz, 41, from Plymouth, was given a hospital order with restrictions after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.

Both offences related to incidents that happened on the motorway on May 9, 2022. The judge called it “absurdly dangerous driving”.

The court was told he was driving erratically on the M5 at around 1pm, nearly losing control and hitting one vehicle on an exit lane before re-joining on the southbound lane.

Prosecutor Herc Ashworth said between two bridges near Cullompton he had an average speed of 102mph. Dashcam footage showed him weaving in an out of traffic at excess speeds and undertaking at least 39 vehicles, often squeezing between cars.

One incident in the lead-up to the crash involved him driving up behind a Peugeot that was travelling in the outside lane. He overtook the vehicle by driving onto the grass verge near the central reservation and making contact with the Peugeot causing it to end up on the hard shoulder.

Poyntz carried on undertaking other vehicles at speed before trying to squeeze through a gap between a lorry and Land Rover Freelander. He collided with the back of the Land Rover, pushing it into a BMW Z4.

The Land Rover ended up on its roof, the BMW spun into a grass verge. Both were written off. Poyntz sustained a blown tyre and pulled over on the hard shoulder.

He told police he” thought there was a war going on.” Levels of cannabis and a cocaine breakdown were found in his system.

Four of the five people in the Land Rover suffered injuries including whiplash, muscle damage, the dislocated elbow, leg and hand injuries. A 63-year-old and a 22-year-old in the BMW also suffered whiplash and superficial injuries.

Poyntz, of Lambhay Hill, Plymouth, has a previous conviction for driving whilst disqualified dating back to 2004 but a more serious offence of wounding with intent in 2006. The court was told that offence involved him hearing voices and repeatedly stabbing his uncle in bed.

Dr Richard Pool a consultant psychiatrist, recommended a Hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 with an added Section 41 restriction for public protection.

Christopher Cuddihee, defending, said Poyntz, a schizophrenic, wanted to apologise for his actions and the injuries he caused. He said he is “truly sorry” for what happened.

The defendant was in a fragile health at the time and a bed has now been found at a secure unit that treats people with mental illness.

Judge James Adkin said he was satisfied a hospital order was the correct sentence. He said the level of scrutiny the defendant had in the community before the offence was “very, very troubling” considering his past knife crime.

The defendant will be treated in hospital until it is safe to release him. He was disqualified from driving for 10 years.

“The reality is that no one will ever insure you to drive again,” said the judge.