Party-goer jailed after fleeing New Year crash while over drink-drive limit

Charles Wright, 45, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice after the crash in Wakefield.

Leeds Crown Court heard police found a Fiat had been abandoned on Queen Elizabeth Road, Eastmoor, which was blocked by bricks and debris from the crash.

Witnesses gave officers a description of two men seen leaving the scene shortly after the collision. CCTV footage was also recovered which showed the road being showered with debris. Police received a call from a Wright’s girlfriend about 10 minutes later reporting the vehicle had been stolen from outside their home.

While officers were at the property, Wright turned up and appeared drunk and was slurring his words. He was arrested and was found to be one-and-a-half times over the drink-drive limit.

Wright’s DNA was also found on the airbag of the car.

James Littlehayles, mitigating, said Wright, of Frobisher Grove, Lupset, Wakefield, had been to a party and believed he was below the drink-drive limit. He then panicked after the collision as he thought he may have had too much to drink.