20-Year-Old Sparks Terror in High-Speed Swindon Police Chase
Tyler O’Keeffe, 20, from Burbage, Leicestershire, threw public safety to the wind in a brazen police chase through Swindon on 12 June. Driving a suspicious black Volkswagen Tiguan with no tax, pitch-black tinted windows, and a parking ticket plastered on it, O’Keeffe ignored police orders to stop.
When officers signalled him to pull over on County Road just after 1pm, he slammed the accelerator instead. The young driver performed a dangerous U-turn that forced officers to dive out of harm’s way, kicking off a heart-stopping pursuit.
Wild Ride Across Dual Carriageways and Roundabouts
The chase tore through Swindon’s centre in wet weather, turning deadly at times. O’Keeffe sped the wrong way down Drakes Way dual carriageway, whipped around Greenbridge roundabout, and tore along Dorcan Way, Covingham Drive, and Merlin Way.
- He even took the wrong way onto the A419 exit slip road before barging back into traffic.
- His reckless manoeuvres put countless lives at risk.
The drama ended only when O’Keeffe crashed into another vehicle, trapping himself for police to apprehend.
Jailed and Licence Revoked
At Swindon Crown Court on 3 October, O’Keeffe pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was locked up for 20 months — 12 for the chase and an extra eight for breaching a suspended sentence.
His driving licence is revoked for 27 months, and he faces a tough extended driving test before he can legally get behind the wheel again.
“O’Keeffe’s driving was some of the worst I have seen,” said PC Tom Richardson. “He took massive risks going the wrong way on dual carriageways and the A419, caring only about escaping while putting the public, his passengers, and officers in danger. There is no place for this kind of driving in Wiltshire.”
