Drunk van driver caught on M4 after fleeing multiple crashes

Rares Rotaru, of Blumfield Court in Slough, left the scene of two crashes in Swindon on the same day before police caught up to him and also drove erratically on the A419. On January 24, officers were alerted to a Citroen van being driven in a dangerous manner on the A419 at Swindon. The caller described the driver as appearing to try to "force cars off the road".

Shortly after police received this call, officers responded to a crash at Waitrose in Mill Lane. During this incident, the driver of a white Citroen van had failed to stop at the scene. Later the same day, police were called to a collision in Broome Manor Lane, where the driver of a Citroen involved in the smash had admitted to being drunk, but had once again left the scene.

Those involved gave police a description of the vehicle, and they soon located Rotaru on the M4, where he was arrested in connection with all three incidents. He refused a breath test at the roadside and still would not provide while in police custody. Rotaru, 34, pleaded guilty to drink driving, failing to provide, failing to stop after a road accident and using a vehicle without a licence.

He was slapped with a 48-month driving ban when he appeared in court on March 23, and also received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Rotaru was also ordered to pay GBP85 in CPS costs and a GBP154 surcharge. Dt Sgt Scott Young revealed that the defendant "begged" another driver not to report him after the crash in Broome Manor Lane.

He said: "Rotaru begged the other driver in the collision in Broome Manor Lane not to report the collision to police in an attempt to continue with his day without being caught. "Officers caught up with him on the M4 and he was arrested in connection with all the incidents. He failed to provide a breath test at the roadside and again in custody.

"I'd like to thank the members of the public who reported the incidents to police in a timely manner and provided descriptions of Rotaru and his vehicle which enabled us to locate him and prevent any further harm being caused to other road users."

References

1. ^ Reading crackdown on anti-social behaviour welcomed (www.readingchronicle.co.uk)