Moment reckless van driver who seriously injured two people in horror crash films himself opening can of Stella while driving at more than 80mph

Published: 16:31, 23 December 2025 | Updated: 16:34, 23 December 2025

A video has revealed the moment a van driver who injured two people in a horror crash cracking open a can of Stella while driving 80mph.

John Doocey, 30, was speeding at 80mph in a Nissan NT400 flatbed van along the A133 in Frating, Essex, at around 7pm on August 3 this year.

He then tried to overtake cars ahead of him in 'extremely poor conditions' at which point he lost control of the van, police said.

The back end began fishtailing out behind him and he skidded off the road, rolling and then smashing into a tree.

One of his passengers was trapped in the wreckage until the emergency services could free them.

His other passenger was able to leave the van after the crash but both were left with serious injuries which police said 'could affect them for the rest of their lives.'

Doocey, of Trimley St Martin, Suffolk, was able to walk free of the van but he was jailed for three years following the crash.

Essex Police released footage of him opening a can of Stella Artois beer while driving at 80mph.

John Doocey, 30, was jailed for three years following a crash which left this two passengers seriously injured

Police discovered a video of him cracking open a can of Stella while driving 80mph in his van

A force spokesman said: 'It's an example of the reckless behaviour our officers are working hard to identify and tackle each and every day.'

At the time of his sentencing PC Harry Townsend from Essex Police's Roads Policing Team said: 'Driving is a privilege and not a right and John Doocey's actions were reckless.

'He paid no attention to the conditions and drove way above his capability, causing a collision which has had a significant impact.

'He is responsible for his two passengers being left with injuries which could affect them for the rest of their lives.'

He added: 'Looking at the speed and reckless nature of John Doocey's driving, this collision could easily have been a fatal one.

'I am pleased he will not be able to get back in the driver's seat of a vehicle for the foreseeable future.'

More than 50 people have died on roads in Essex this year PC Townsend said, with speed being a contributing factor in many of the most serious incidents.

In 2024, there were 1,602 fatalities on UK roads, according to the latest government figures.

Fifty nine per cent of these deaths had speed as a contributing factor to them, the highest of any road safety factor.

29,467 were killed or seriously injured and there were 128,272 casualties of all severities.

References

^ JAKE HOLDEN, UK NEWS REPORTER (www.dailymail.co.uk)