A motorist whose dangerous driving caused a crash on the A1(M) that led to a family dog being put down has been handed a suspended prison sentence and a driving ban.
Tamani Cama was driving a black Ford Focus southbound on the A1(M) between the junction with the A66 and Scotch Corner when the incident happened. North Yorkshire Police said the Ford was being driven erratically, and as it overtook another vehicle it swerved sharply between lanes, lost control and slammed into a red VW Transporter campervan.
Family Holiday Turned to Terror
The VW spun across the carriageway, and the family's dog was thrown from the vehicle by the force of the impact. The injuries were so severe that the dog later had to be put to sleep, the force confirmed.
In a victim personal statement read aloud in court, the driver of the VW said: "What should have been a happy family holiday turned into one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Our vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle travelling at such speed that the force of the impact was absolutely terrifying. It was horrific. I had no idea where we were going to end up, what was going to happen next or whether we would survive."
Driver Arrested and Charged
Following the collision, Cama ran down a grass verge before collapsing and was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries to his arm and chest. North Yorkshire Police said Cama told officers during interview that he had been awake for most of the night, had been working, and recalled feeling fatigued. Analysis of his blood sample revealed an alcohol level of 61mg per 100ml of blood, beneath the legal threshold of 80.
Cama was charged with dangerous driving and pleaded guilty at York Magistrates' Court on September 25. Sentencing took place at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on October 23, where he received 28 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 12 months, a 12-month driving ban, a requirement to pass an extended competency test before obtaining a new licence, a mandatory rehabilitation programme, and was ordered to pay costs of £250 along with a £154 surcharge.
Police Warning on Dangerous Driving
TC Ross Moralee, from North Yorkshire Police, said: "This case shows the impact that dangerous driving can have on innocent members of the public. A bad decision to get behind the wheel resulted in devastating consequences."
