Reckless Driver Speeds Past Police at 100mph After Drink Drive
Sean Thomas Matthews, 39, from Llanrhidian, Swansea, faced Swindon Magistrates on March 18 and pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to stop after a crash, and drink driving.
High-Speed Police Chase on M4 Ends in Crash
On January 12, 2021, at around 10.15pm, PC Steve Harding was on duty near junction 16 of the M4. He was responding to reports of a man walking toward the motorway carriageway and set up a rolling roadblock, slowing traffic to 30mph with clear “do not overtake” signs.
But Matthews ignored the police warnings, smashing past the patrol car at over 100mph. PC Harding switched on his blue lights to stop him, but Matthews raced off, exited at junction 16, and smashed into a traffic light pole. The impact hurled the pole 50 metres onto the road.
Matthews didn’t stop. Instead, he continued driving on the dark motorway without vehicle lights, despite his damaged car. PC Harding had to clear debris from the crash site to avoid further accidents.
Arrest After Dangerous Driving in Darkness
A member of the public spotted Matthews’ car creeping along the eastbound carriageway without lights between junction 15 and Membury services. Police caught up and arrested him after he failed a roadside breath test.
PC Harding said: “The rolling roadblock was set up to protect someone’s welfare, but Matthews completely ignored our instructions and put lives at risk by overtaking at extreme speed.
“He crashed into a traffic light pole, sending it flying across the road, then kept driving on a dark motorway with no lights – a selfish and thoughtless act that fell way below the standard expected of a competent driver.”
Heavy Penalties for Dangerous Drinker
- 18-month community order
- 100 hours unpaid work
- £5,000 fine
- £425 court costs
- 12-month driving ban
Matthews now faces a year off the roads and a heavy fine after endangering countless lives in his reckless, booze-fuelled dash along the M4.
