Drug courier jailed after 130mph chase injures taxi driver
Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 19:00 · Archive
James Johnson was jailed for eight years after fleeing police at 130mph with 10kg of cocaine, crashing into a taxi near York.
James Johnson, 31, was jailed for eight years at York Crown Court after a high-speed pursuit on 28 August that endangered multiple road users. Police spotted him heading north on the M1 near Junction 47 and pursued him as he weaved through heavy traffic heading towards Leeds Festival during the midday Bank Holiday weekend. He drove at speeds exceeding 130mph, at one point using the hard shoulder before taking the slip road to the A64 towards York.
At the western Tadcaster turn-off, Johnson crashed into a taxi, bringing himself to a stop. Police caught up and arrested him, finding 10kg of cocaine worth between £280,000 and £310,000 in his Audi A3, along with £160 in cash. The taxi driver suffered a broken shoulder and ribs, with doctors yet to rule out internal injuries. In a statement, the driver said: 'I feel like I am lucky to be alive. I am in pain every day, sometimes it is out of control.' He is now unable to drive or earn money for his family.
Johnson, of Kiwi Street, Salford, had previously served two jail terms totalling six years and nine months for drug supply offences in Scotland and Wales. He was convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, possessing cocaine with intent to supply it, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. The Recorder of York said Johnson posed 'a risk to the lives of the police and other road users' and had been 'moving around the country peddling misery'. He was also banned from driving for six years.
How it is being reported
- WATCH driver weaving through heavy traffic during 130mph pursuit on A1(M) and A64Police have released video footage of the cocaine courier who weaved through heavy traffic heading for Leeds Festival in August during a 130mph chase.The Press (York) · 9 Oct, 18:20
- WATCH - driver weaving through heavy traffic during 130mph pursuit on A1(M) and A64Police have released video footage of the cocaine courier who weaved through heavy traffic heading for Leeds Festival in August during a 130mph chase.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 9 Oct, 18:20
- Man driving at 130mph towards York nearly killed taxi driver during police chaseA motorist with £310,000 of cocaine in his car nearly killed a taxi driver as he fled police at 130mph through Leeds Festival traffic, York Crown Court heard.The Press (York) · 9 Oct, 18:00
- Man driving at 130mph towards York nearly killed taxi driver during police chaseA motorist with £310,000 of cocaine in his car nearly killed a taxi driver as he fled police at 130mph through Leeds Festival traffic, York Crown Court heard.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 9 Oct, 18:00
In this story: James Johnson · York Crown Court · York · Salford · Leeds Festival
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