This terrifying footage shows a car driven by a drink-driver flying through the air and narrowly missing a family - by inches
Patrick Williams, 33, had been seen driving recklessly before his car skidded, rolled and then flew through the air when he lost control.
Cops say his car narrowly missed wiping out an entire family who were travelling along the A433 between Cirencester and Tetbury in Gloucestershire, on Good Friday last year.
The terrifying dashcam video was released by Gloucestershire Police who condemned Williams' actions after he was given a suspended prison sentence.
The victims, the Musty family, were taking their teenage son on a driving lesson at the time and police say they were lucky to have survived.
Speaking after the case, dad Andrew Musty said they were all still very shaken up by what happened and were within seconds of losing their lives.
He said: “My 17-year-old son was a learner driver and his quick reactions saved our lives; if he hadn’t swerved onto the verge, Williams' blue Peugeot would have crashed through our front windscreen as it flew through the air, and my son and my wife in the back of the car would probably have been killed.
"Immediately after the impact, I turned my head expecting to see my son motionless and covered in blood, but by some miracle Williams' flying car somehow skimmed us leaving only blue paint marks, scratches, and bullet-shaped dents from the flying debris, and my son escaped unscathed.
"This was a traumatic experience for all of us, and the flashbacks and nightmares are a constant reminder of how lucky we are to have survived."
Gloucestershire Police said a number of witnesses at the scene had stopped to help and reported how Williams, of Dorchester, Dorset, was abusive, sounded drunk and smelt strongly of alcohol so believed he had been drink driving.
One witness told officers how they had previously been overtaken by Williams on the outskirts of Tetbury and believed that he was driving recklessly, going around 80mph on a blind corner.
Officers attended the scene of the collision and asked Williams to provide a sample of breath for analysis at the roadside but he refused and was arrested.
He was later charged with dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance and failing to provide a sample of breath.
He was due to stand trial at the end of March but pleaded guilty to the offences at the beginning of January.
Appearing in the dock at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday (14/2) Williams received a nine month sentence suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 45 hours unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation, to pay £1000 in compensation and a victim surcharge of £156.He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and required to take an extended driving test after this time.
Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer PC Tim Griffiths said: "The Musty family are incredibly lucky to be alive today. They were literally inches away from being killed or very seriously hurt.
"Williams drove that day with a total disregard for other road users, driving from Cirencester to Wotton-under-Edge and back again, in a manner which can only be described as dangerous.
"Surprisingly the only visible damage to the Musty's Corsa was the chunks that were taken out of the alloy wheel, blue paint transfer from the glancing blow, dents from flying debris, a spare wheel and a 6 inch bolt that had been in the boot. The car was also sprayed with fluids from the Peugeot as well as grass and mud.
“I’d like to thank all of the witnesses who helped with our investigation as their comprehensive accounts of what happened have resulted in a successful prosecution and ultimately a guilty plea to all charges.
“Mr and Mrs Musty can be incredibly proud of their son for his actions that day, had it not been for his quick reactions and peace of mind that day he and his family could easily have been killed. He showed a level of calmness above his 17 years.”
