A single mother in the UK has been given a suspended prison sentence after driving her Mercedes through a red light and causing a police car to crash and erupt in flames. The incident occurred around 11:15 p.m. on November 12 in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
Dramatic CCTV footage, played in Liverpool Crown Court, showed Stacie Wright, 35, driving her Mercedes-Benz A-Class into an intersection despite the traffic lights having been red for as long as eight seconds. At the same time, a marked police car, with its blue lights flashing, was proceeding through the junction on a green light. Wright began a right-hand turn directly into the path of the police vehicle, resulting in a collision.
The impact caused the police car to burst into flames, destroying the vehicle, which was valued at approximately £15,000. An additional £2,500 was incurred in salvage costs.
Constable Paul Thompson, the officer driving the police car, suffered injuries including cuts to his face, bruising, tinnitus, and rib pain that took two months to heal. In a victim impact statement, he described the trauma of the event, stating that his first thought was to check on Wright's well-being despite the fire. He expressed that the incident left him in extreme pain, requiring time off work and causing financial difficulties. The constable also noted the lasting emotional impact on his 12-year-old daughter, who has additional needs.
Wright, a hairdresser from Rock Ferry, described the crash as a "momentary lapse in concentration." Her defense stated she is a hardworking single mother and was genuinely remorseful.
Charles Wood, Head of the Bench, classified the offense as a Category A1, the most serious category, based on the clear CCTV evidence and the significant duration the light had been red. He emphasized the potential consequences of such actions.
Wright was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £272 in costs. No compensation was ordered for Merseyside Police or Constable Thompson, as these matters are typically covered by insurance.