Drink-Driver Sparks Terrifying Head-On Smash on A259
A reckless drink-driver has been banned from the roads after causing a brutal head-on collision on the A259 that left a young passenger battling life-changing injuries.
James Lamont Crashes Audi into Oncoming BMW at 4am
James Lamont, 28, was tearing west along Bognor Road near Chichester in his Audi Q2 when he suddenly swerved into the opposite lane at around 4am on 10 August last year. His car collided head-on with a BMW 3 Series travelling the right way.
The victim, a 20-year-old passenger from Bognor, suffered a broken leg that still hampers his daily life.
Victim Faces PTSD and a Shattered Future
“I get flashbacks several times a week, often triggered by car headlights. I think I might have PTSD. Before the crash, I did kickboxing but now I fear I can’t continue because of the metal rod in my leg and reduced mobility,” revealed the victim.
The crash has also wrecked his work, relationships, and hobbies.
Drink-Driver Caught, Convicted and Banned
Emergency crews found Lamont with glazed eyes, unsteady steps, and smelling strongly of booze. A blood test showed 90mg of alcohol per 100ml — over the UK legal limit of 80mg.
Lamont admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and drink-driving. On 3 March at Worthing Magistrates’ Court, he was handed a 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, a £455 fine, £85 court costs, a £114 victim surcharge, and a 24-month driving ban.
PC Jed Gobey from the Roads Policing Unit slammed Lamont’s actions: “It is selfish, it is dangerous and it can change the lives of you and others. Drink or drive; never both.”
