Lorry Driver Jailed for Crashing Into Police Car on A1
A lorry driver who recklessly ignored a lane closure has been locked up for two years after smashing into a stationary police car on the busy A1. The crash left two officers seriously injured and sparked outrage.
Dangerous Driving and Drug Use Behind Shocking Crash
Christopher Swain, 38, from Stowmarket, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving over the prescribed cannabis limit. He appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on 10th August where he was sentenced to two years in prison. Swain has also been banned from driving for four years and must retake his driving test before getting back behind the wheel.
Officers Seriously Hurt in Shocking Collision
The incident unfolded on 25th November last year, just after 11:20am, when PCs Christopher Windsor-Beck and Matt Brand were attending a broken-down lorry at Colsterworth on the A1. While waiting for recovery, Swain ignored a lane closure and ploughed into their stationary police vehicle from behind.
- Both officers suffered severe injuries including fractured spines, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone.
- They have also been battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) since the crash.
- Swain escaped with only minor injuries.
Police Slam Drug Driving: ‘Reaction Times Severely Impaired’
“This was a difficult incident involving two members of my team who were simply carrying out their duties in keeping the public of Lincolnshire safe,” said Grantham Sergeant Dan McCormack.
“The dangers of driving under the influence of drugs are clear here. The driver’s reaction times were greatly impeded and this was the main cause of the crash. We will continue to crack down on drug driving to keep Lincolnshire’s roads safe for everyone.”
Both officers have now returned to work and remain grateful for the overwhelming support from colleagues and the public.
