Drug addict jailed for Shrewsbury crash mayhem
A Shrewsbury drug addict who said he could remember nothing of a crash he caused which injured three people has been jailed for 10 months.
Timothy Murphy was airlifted to hospital after the crash and now has life-long disabilities. He said the accident, on September 9, last year, was due to him not taking his methadone – a replacement for heroin.
The 47-year-old father-of-four initially told police he could remember nothing of the crash, which happened in York Road, Harlescott, Shrewsbury – despite there being dozens of eyewitnesses. But last month he pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving and appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentence yesterday.
Mr Jason Aris, prosecuting, said: "At around 2pm on September 5, road users and pedestrians saw Murphy driving a Silver Honda Civic in York Road. He was going over the speed limit. One motorist had to take evasive action.
"He was driving on the wrong side of the road. The defendant struck a vehicle being driven by a Mr Fardoe.
"Following the accident Mr Fardoe was prescribed anti-depressants and treated for injuries to his neck and knee. The female passenger of the other car suffered severe back and pelvic injuries. The male driver only suffered minor injuries."
Mr Stephen Scully, for Murphy, of Moston Road, Harlescott, said his client had no recollection of the crash.
"He had not taken his methadone on the day and this is why he was driving at excessive speeds," said Mr Scully.
"The person who came out of this with the most injuries is Timothy Murphy."
Judge Barrie in sentencing Murphy, who was also banned from driving for two years, said: "You were travelling at 46mph at point of impact. Your actions were so terrifying to another road user that they turned around to follow you and to call the emergency services. Your driving was the sole cause of this accident."
