A drug driver who crashed into the central reservation of the M1 and then drove several miles on three wheels has been jailed. Omar Makhluf, 20, from Barking, east London, was sentenced to 22 months at Aylesbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving whilst unfit through drugs.
The incident occurred on February 16 last year at around 3.30pm on the northbound stretch of the M1 after Toddington, Bedfordshire. Makhluf struck the central reservation, causing significant damage to his car, but continued driving on three wheels until he pulled over at a service station near Milton Keynes.
Police were alerted and arrested Makhluf at the service station. When told the grounds for his arrest, he replied: “I didn’t do dangerous driving.” During police interview, he struggled to stay awake and yawned while being questioned.
In addition to the prison sentence, Makhluf was disqualified from driving for four years for this offence and other matters elsewhere in the country. Investigating officer James Holmes of Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “This incident on the M1 could easily have had far more serious consequences, and we are thankful that no one was injured. Dangerous driving puts lives at risk, and we remain committed to keeping our roads safe.”
The force added: “If you damage your vehicle while driving on a motorway, pull over to the side and alert police as soon as it is safe to do so.”
