A police officer in Wales closed his eyes and feared the worst seconds before he was struck by a car driven by an intoxicated and dangerous driver. The officer had stopped to help a broken-down vehicle on the A55 near Holywell in Flintshire when a car driven by Alfie Colliver-Williams hit him at high speed and drove off without stopping, Caernarfon Crown Court heard.
Fortunately, the shocked officer only suffered bruising to his lower body, but the collision left him shaken and caused £19,000 damage to the police car, prosecutor Laura Knightly said. The hit-and-run occurred in the early hours of January 30 this year. The officer was driving east along the A55 between Caerwys and Holywell, taking a man back to Chester after an interview.
Officer's terrifying experience
Ms Knightly said the officer spotted a broken-down vehicle and pulled over to help, closing off lane one and activating the vehicle's lights, including a flashing arrow at the back, indicating for traffic to move into lane two. As he pulled a door open to get his jacket, Colliver-Williams' vehicle approached at high speed in lane one, tried to swerve into lane two, delivering a glancing blow to the officer's legs and striking the police car before driving off.
The officer was taken to hospital and described the incident as the most terrifying experience of his life. He said: "I felt helpless... I remember closing my eyes and bracing myself for being hit. I knew if the vehicle was to hit me, I was not going to survive."
Defendant's criminal history
Colliver-Williams, 26, of Chester Road, Oakenholt, Flintshire, was later arrested. He admitted dangerous driving, driving while above the legal alcohol limit, and failing to stop after a road accident. He was also sentenced for a theft from a vehicle in April 2025, after police received calls about two men interfering with vehicles. He admitted theft from a vehicle and failing to surrender to court bail.
Colliver-Williams also admitted further motoring offences from an incident on February 7 this year, where he took a friend's car without consent, including driving above the legal limit, driving without insurance, aggravated vehicle taking, and vehicle damage. On June 16, he admitted criminal damage and assault by beating of an emergency worker after he tried to use a suspected counterfeit note at a shop. Police were called, a scuffle ensued, and he kicked an officer. He also spat inside a police vehicle cell.
Sentencing and consequences
The court heard Colliver-Williams had four convictions for eight offences, including motoring offences. Defending, Ember Wong, said he had entered early guilty pleas, had a chaotic lifestyle, was remorseful, and realised he had an issue with drink. His time in custody had helped him feel much clearer, and he wanted to improve himself.
Sentencing Colliver-Williams to a total of two years in prison, Judge Timothy Petts said the incident on the A55 was a particularly frightening episode, adding that he was very considerably over the drink-drive limit at the time. He must serve up to half in custody, with the rest on licence. Colliver-Williams was also disqualified from driving for five years, with his licence endorsed and must take an extended retest. He must also pay a statutory surcharge, and an order was made for the deprivation of his vehicle.
