CCTV footage captured a dramatic moment when a mother ran a red light and collided with a police car, causing it to catch fire. Stacie Wright, a 35-year-old hairdresser, drove her white Mercedes-Benz A-Class into the police vehicle after disregarding a red light in Merseyside’s Birkenhead. The collision led to flames erupting from under the police car’s bonnet.
During the court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Wright crossed the junction despite the traffic light being red for approximately eight seconds. Simultaneously, a police car with its blue lights flashing was passing through a green light on Watson Street. CCTV footage presented in court depicted Wright turning right directly into the path of the police vehicle, resulting in the collision. Prosecutor Nathan Cooper emphasized the footage as a clear representation of the incident.
The police vehicle, valued at £15,000, was completely wrecked in the crash and deemed a write-off, incurring salvage costs amounting to £2,500. Constable Thompson, the driver of the police car, narrated the terrifying experience of the collision, stating that he suffered facial cuts, bruising, tinnitus, and rib pain lasting two months. The impact statement highlighted the emotional and physical toll on him, including difficulties sleeping and the trauma of witnessing his vehicle on fire.
The crash also impacted the officer’s family, with his 12-year-old daughter experiencing distress from being woken in the night to learn about the incident. The officer’s injuries necessitated time off work, causing financial strain and missed training opportunities. In court, Wright, described as a hardworking single mother, expressed genuine remorse for the incident, attributing it to a moment of inattention.
In sentencing, Charles Wood, Head of the Bench, emphasized the gravity of the offense based on the CCTV evidence, categorizing it as a severe breach of traffic regulations due to the extended duration of the red light. Wright, residing in Rock Ferry, Merseyside, received a suspended eight-month jail term, a 12-month driving ban, and a fine of £272.
