Drink driver jailed for causing life-changing injuries in crash
A drink driver (pictured) has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after causing a collision that left a motorcyclist with life-changing injuries, including the loss of his leg. Jamie Duxbury (33) was intoxicated and driving at excessive speeds in his Ford Kuga when he crashed into the victim, who was riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The incident occurred on September 8, 2023, on the eastbound stretch of the M65 between junctions 4 and 5.
The force of the collision threw the motorcyclist from his bike, causing him to lose his helmet before coming to a stop in lane 2 of the motorway. A quick-thinking HGV driver, who witnessed the crash, used their vehicle to block the lane and shield the injured rider from oncoming traffic. The victim received treatment at the scene before undergoing emergency surgery, resulting in the amputation of his lower leg--an injury that has profoundly altered his life.
In a victim personal statement the victim described the appalling impact the collision had on his life saying he felt like he had 'lost his identity'. He suffers from memory loss as well as the devastating impact of losing his leg. He describes how he has gone from having an almost perfect life where he enjoyed a successful business and travelling and hobbies including the Harley Davidson - which he had had for only six weeks before the collision - and playing golf to having a more negative outlook where his independence and adventurous lifestyle have been taken away.
Duxbury of Ivy Close, Blackburn, was convicted of drink driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was jailed earlier on December 9 at Preston Crown Court for 27 months. Once released he will start a two-year driving ban.
The sentence comes as our Op Limit continues - cracking down on drink and drug drivers throughout December. Sergeant Dan Gunn, of Lancashire's Road Policing Unit, said: "Jamie Duxbury was both over the drink drive limit and was driving at excess speed at the time of this devastating collision which caused appalling and life changing injuries to the victim. "Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe and we have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired.
"I hope this sentence shows our determination to tackle impaired driving and to put people before the courts." In 2023, Merseyside and Lancashire made more than 6616 arrests for drink or drug driving offences or impaired driving offences. In Lancashire, males between the ages of 20-39 make up more than half (53%) of all drink and drug drivers, many of those still testing positive from drugs or alcohol consumed the night before.
If you know of a drink or drug driver, you can report them to https://crimestoppers-uk.org/[1].
If the person is about to drive, call 999 to keep them and others safe.
References
- ^ https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ (crimestoppers-uk.org)