An illegal migrant flipped his Audi A6 after a police chase that reached speeds of 100 mph, culminating in a crash at a roundabout. The driver, Hai Nguyen, 40, ignored repeated police orders to stop his vehicle on the M6 motorway.
Officers initiated the pursuit after being alerted that the Audi was uninsured. Dramatic video released by Cheshire Constabulary shows Nguyen accelerating away from the police, who could be heard stating their intention to pursue. The chase continued as Nguyen exited the M6 and moved onto the M56 westbound.
During the pursuit, Nguyen reached speeds of 100 mph and drove on the hard shoulder. He then exited the motorway at the next junction in an apparent attempt to evade capture. However, Nguyen appeared to misjudge the speed of his car as he approached a roundabout, braking too late. The vehicle collided with crash barriers, rolled onto its side, and then tipped onto its roof, sliding to a stop in the middle of the road.
Despite the crash, Nguyen attempted to exit the vehicle through the window as officers approached. He was found to be carrying £1,010 in cash at the time of his arrest.
Nguyen, who had no fixed address but was from Liverpool, was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop for a police officer, and possessing criminal property. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
On Monday, Chester Crown Court sentenced Nguyen to 12 months in prison. He received a driving ban of two years and three months and could face deportation proceedings from the Home Office due to his sentence.
The court heard that Nguyen claimed to have lost control of the vehicle, and that his inability to speak English might have contributed to him not understanding police commands. However, prosecutors stated that officers had made repeated attempts to signal him to stop using sirens, hand gestures, and by shouting through an open window.
Judge McGarva stated that the sentence was intended to send a message to other drivers who might consider ignoring police instructions and expressed hope that the punishment would deter similar behavior.