Drink driver hit 124mph before head-on collision
Police abandoned pursuit fearing it was too dangerous
A drink-driver was involved in a 124mph police chase before causing a head-on collision.
Leon Karaloucas, of East Street, in Hunton, has been jailed for three years and eight months at Lewes Crown Court after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, causing serious injury and drink-driving. He was also banned from driving for five years and 10 months and ordered to take an extended re-test after his shocking driving in the neighbouring county of Sussex.
The 34-year-old was caught after he drove past an unmarked police car in a white Seat Leon Cupra and failed to stop at the request of the officers. A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The pursuit continued through Lewes towards Ringmer, where the driver eventually pulled over and went onto
the pavement.
“But as officers pulled up behind and were getting out of their vehicle, the Seat accelerated away.
“Police reached speeds of 124mph as they attempted to catch up with the car, but it was out of sight and the pursuit was aborted as it was considered too dangerous.
“Just minutes later and less than half a mile from where police called it off, a crash was reported involving the speeding vehicle and a BMW 116. “Investigations revealed the driver had overtaken another vehicle on approach to a lefthand bend, contravening a double solid white line, and crashed head-on into the BMW, causing extensive damage to both.
“He was pulled from his car by a local resident and taken to hospital for treatment.
“The BMW driver, a 68-yearold local woman, sustained multiple fractures and was also taken to hospital.” “Karaloucas provided a sample of blood for analysis which revealed he had 111mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system. “The legal limit is 80mg.” PC Richard Brand, of the Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “Karaloucas failed to stop for police and drove in a dangerous manner and exceeded speeds of 100mph in a 60mph speed limit. “Police called off the pursuit, however Karaloucas continued to drive in a dangerous manner
‘Karaloucas made a decision to drink and drive that night. It cost him his freedom’
and was involved in a serious collision with a member of the public’s vehicle, causing extensive damage and serious injuries to the female driver.”
PC Brand added: “Karaloucas made his own decision to drink and drive on that night, and his subsequent decision making has now cost him his freedom. Worse still is that another member of public sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision and is still receiving ongoing treatment.
“Excess speed, dangerous and careless driving and drink-driving are three of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions.”