Blackpool drunk-driver jailed after Christmas Day collision seriously injured five

A drunk-driver who crashed his car into a wall in Blackpool on Christmas Day, seriously injuring five passengers, has been jailed.

Kevin Thompson spent Christmas day 2023 drinking. He then got in the car and drove, showing off speeding and using his phone.

Thompson crashed the car shortly before 10:30pm injuring the five passengers, some of whom were children, and himself.

Officers were called to Common Edge Road, Blackpool following reports that Thompson’s Mercedes CLA 220 had left the carriageway and collided with a wall.

Witnesses described seeing Thompson drinking alcohol throughout the day. One said he had received a bottle of Rum as a Christmas present and was thought to have consumed a significant amount throughout the day.

They got in the car, and Thompson began to speed. He was thought to have reached speeds of around 70mph and was reportedly using his phone in the central console.

The witnesses described shouting at him to stop and slow down shortly before the collision.

Thompson was driving the Mercedes containing five passengers, one of whom was sat on the knee of another without wearing a seatbelt. Three boys who were aged 13, 15 and 17 at the time and a 17-year-old girl and woman in her 30s suffered multiple serious injuries.

Thompson was detained at the scene after he was identified as the driver. He provided a roadside breath test reading of 91. The legal limit is 35. Our officers asked him to also provide a roadside drug wipe, but he refused.

Prior to this he told officers ‘listen, I was driving, it’s my fault, I’m bad, I’m bad’ and minutes later told them again ‘I know it’s my fault.’

Despite making these statements to officers, he answered no comment in interview and was later charged with five counts of Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis and Failing to Co-Operate with a Preliminary test.

Thompson, 44, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Sessions House, Preston to three years and five months in prison and was disqualified from driving for four years and six months.

Sgt Paul McCurrie, of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Thompson knew how much he had to drink on Christmas Day. He knew he would be over the legal limit and unsafe to drive, but he did it anyway.

“As a consequence, the next few of his Christmases will be spent behind bars.

“The collision left five people with serious injuries; it caused a significant amount of damage and was an upsetting sight for the witnesses who were simply going about their Christmas day. I am pleased that he has been brought to justice, and I hope that this sends a message to anyone who thinks it is ok to drink drive.

“When we tell you about Op Limit, and our drink drug drive activity, we’re often met with people saying we are spoiling their festive fun. We’re not – their irresponsible acts of driving impaired are putting people in danger and could easily ruin a lot more than your Christmas party.

“So, this season, when you’re out and about, or celebrating with loved ones and have had a drink, don’t get behind the wheel.”