Wrong way motorway driver jailed

The crash happened seconds after this shot was taken

A driver who sped the wrong way along the M61 and M6 motorways before crashing head on with a police car has been jailed for 15 months.

Mark Lee, 39, of Briarwood Close in Leyland, admitted driving dangerously in the early hours of Boxing Day 2004.

Preston Crown Court heard Lee drove 10 miles along two different motorways past two police cars that were trying to stop him before he hit a third.

The judge said the reason for Lee's drive and crash remained a mystery.

Lee also admitted causing bodily harm by wanton and furious driving.

My first recollection is the airbags detonating Pc Paul Thomas

The court was shown video footage of the moment Lee hit a police car, which was being driven by Pc Paul Thomas at a slow pace with all its blue lights flashing, on the M6 near Salmesbury.

Pc Thomas suffered shock and whiplash-type injuries while Lee's injuries included fractures to the neck.

The court was told Lee had been found in an intoxicated state in his car on Christmas Eve and was released from police custody later on Christmas Day.

There was no evidence he had been drinking at the time of the crash.

Speaking after the trial Pc Thomas, who was commended by the judge for his bravery, said: "It all happened so quickly, my first recollection is the airbags detonating and just getting covered in powder.

"Immediately on stopping my main concern was getting out of the police vehicle as I realised we were in a very vulnerable position - all the lights gone off my car and we were sat in the third lane of the motorway."