A driver addled on a cocktail of drugs sped off from police, jumped a red traffic light and crashed into a traffic island. And then an oncoming driver collided with him.
Surajepal Singh was taken to hospital after the crash, Bristol Crown Court heard. Though a test for alcohol in his blood not taken until nine hours later cleared him of drink-driving, he was found to be over the drug-driving limit in a test which showed his system was positive for derivatives of cocaine and cannabis.
Singh, 37, of Beverley Road in Horfield, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and two charges of drug-driving. He appeared for sentence today. (June 28, 2022)
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Judge Mark Horton, who heard Singh had previous convictions for drink-driving and failing to provide a specimen, jailed him for five months. He told Singh: "This is the third time you have taken other people's lives and played Russian roulette with them."
Singh was banned from driving for two-and-a-half years. He was told he would have to pass an extended driving test before being able to drive again.
Susan Cavender, prosecuting, said at 4am in November last year police spotted Singh driving a BMW car and put his speed at some 60mph in 30mph Glenfrome Road. When they indicated for him to pull over he headed to Muller Road, jumped a red traffic light and crashed into a traffic island.
Ms Cavender said two brothers driving to work passed through a green traffic light, saw SIngh coming straight at them and were not able to avoid him. Though they were not hurt their BMW suffered some £2,000 damage.
The court heard police arrested SIngh, who had glazed eyes and alcohol on his breath. He was taken to hospital and later tested positive for drugs and over the drug-driving limit.
Katie Jenkins, defending, said her client was struggling with relationship issues at the time. She told the court: "He turned to alcohol and drugs essentially as a crutch to deal with what he was going through.
"For a long period of time he was in a very, very dark place. He was no longer at home, he was sofa surfing.
"He worked for months. But in the August he hurt his back at work."
Miss Jenkins said her client was then signed off with depression and anxiety. That proved a catalyst for him to turn to drink and drugs to mask his feelings, the court heard.
Singh has been addressing his drinking and mental health and has undertaken work-related courses, Miss Jenkins added. She said he hoped to return to work in August and asked for his sentence either to be deferred or kept as short as possible.
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