Drunk Driver Swerves on A419 Before Crash – Cracks Under Court Pressure
Crash Chaos on A419
Just before midnight on 2 December, chaos erupted on the southbound A419 between Cricklade and Swindon. A black Volkswagen Polo was spotted swerving dangerously across lanes before crashing into another vehicle.
Drunk and Disqualified: Benjamin Cooper Arrested
Police arrested 42-year-old Benjamin Cooper from Wroughton after he flunked a roadside breath test. His alcohol level was a staggering 113 micrograms per 100ml of breath – over three times the legal limit of 35.
Cooper then appeared in Swindon Magistrates Court on 15 June, pleading guilty to driving while disqualified. The judge handed him a 28-month driving ban, slapped a £550 fine on him, and ordered him to cover court costs.
Police Warn: Drink Driving is Life-Threatening
“We are forced again to remind drivers how deadly drink-driving is,” said Sergeant Will Ayres of Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs dramatically raises your risk of causing serious or fatal collisions.”
“If you suspect someone is drinking and driving, call us. You could be saving lives.”
Spot a Danger? UK Police Urge You to Act
If you know a habitual drink or drug driver, phone 101 with the driver’s details, car registration, and times they usually drive under the influence. For emergencies where a crime is unfolding and the driver is already behind the wheel, dial 999 immediately.
