A reckless driver who narrowly avoided killing himself and others during a horrifying overtake on the A350 has been sentenced — but spared immediate prison time.
Emmanuel Sylva, 39, of Devonshire Place, Melksham, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after dashcam footage caught him attempting a reckless overtake on October 24, 2023, near Stony Gutter, between Semington and Trowbridge.
Heart-Stopping Dashcam Footage
Footage from the lorry Sylva was overtaking shows the moment he veered out into oncoming traffic around a bend — straight into the path of another lorry. The approaching driver desperately flashed their headlights, but Sylva claimed he didn’t see them until it was almost too late.
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With less than half a second to spare, Sylva swerved back into his lane, clipping the side of the lorry he was trying to pass.
Sentencing Details
At court, Sylva was handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and has been banned from driving for 12 months.
PC Jake Tunnacliffe, from Wiltshire Police’s Trowbridge Response Unit, said:
“Sylva was extremely close to colliding head-on with the oncoming lorry when he returned to the southbound lane. His actions were not only reckless but could have resulted in a catastrophic incident.”
Road Safety Reminder
Police are warning drivers that dangerous overtakes like this could easily end in tragedy. Wiltshire Police emphasised that staying patient behind slower-moving vehicles is vital for everyone’s safety, especially on fast-moving A roads like the A350.
