News

Driver drives 40 miles in a "crushed" car after accident

A motorist has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after continuing to drive for an hour, covering a distance of more than 40 miles following a crash, despite having his car crushed.

Michael McCluskey was involved in an accident when, according to the Mail Online, he drove under a lorry on the M5 near Stroud in Gloucestershire in the early morning on 30 May. Incredibly, he escaped any serious injury despite the car being virtually wrecked. Pictures tweeted by the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) showed that the roof was caved in and the windscreen was shattered and partially hanging off. There was also extensive damage to the left-side wing, bumper, door and headlight.

Instead of stopping to report the crash and wait for assistance, Mr McCluskey continued to drive north on the M5. Concerned motorists watched in disbelief as the heavily damaged Vauxhall Signum sped past them - according to police, Mr McCluskey reached speeds of up to 90mph despite the state of his vehicle.

Officers from the West Midlands CMPG eventually pulled the car over some 42 miles from the scene of the crash at Junction 5 near Droitwich Spa, Worcester.

Pictures taken from both inside and outside the car showed a substantial level of damage. The roof had instantly caved in on the point of impact with the HGV, above the passenger side door. There was a hole in the roof and the left wing and door had been bent out of shape by the force of the collision. The windscreen had partially caved in and shattered. The bumper, bonnet and passenger-side headlight were all damaged but amazingly the car continued to run.

Alongside photos of the crushed car, the CMPG tweeted: Incredible. This car drove under a lorry near J13 of the M5, he drove off and we caught him near J5 40 miles away.

A second tweet read: Driver is now assisting with our enquiries into offences of drink/drug/dangerous driving and failing to stop and exchange details.

Appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, 32-year old McCluskey pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous driving.

Back to News