A police officer is continuing to recover after a drink-driver crashed into the back of a patrol car on the A1 near Tinwell in the early hours of Wednesday, 14th August. The incident occurred while officers were clearing a lane closure following the recovery of a broken-down vehicle.
Luke Johnson, 37, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was driving a Volkswagen Crafter van when he struck the stationary police car just before 01:00. One officer was seated inside the vehicle, while another was outside removing road cones. The outside officer narrowly avoided being hit by diving out of the way as Johnson’s van approached at high speed.
The impact caused significant damage to the police car and left the officer inside with injuries, although fortunately, they were not serious. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, and Johnson was subjected to a roadside breath test, recording 113 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than three times the legal limit.
Johnson was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and later pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving without due care and attention. On 20th August, Barnsley Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to a community order, including a nine-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and disqualified him from driving for two years. He was also fined £336.
Sergeant David McIlwhan, who commented on the incident, emphasized the dangers of drunk driving: “It was pure luck that day that the officers involved were not more seriously injured. Johnson put lives at risk when he made the decision to get in his vehicle and drive after drinking alcohol when he was also supposed to be working at the time.”
A spokesperson for the BCH Road Policing Unit added, “Thankfully the two officers are recovering well, but this could have ended very differently. Drink driving will never be tolerated.”
The incident highlights the constant risks faced by police officers on duty, particularly when responding to incidents on busy roads. It remains uncertain whether the police will pursue recovering the costs for the damage to the police car from Johnson’s vehicle insurers.
