Moment motorist miraculously escapes after drug-abusing tractor driver goes the wrong way and crashes head-on into his car, completely destroying it
- Video shows the tractor overtaking the road and rolling over the Honda
- The prosecution told the court he was “surprised” that there were “no serious injuries.”
This is when a motorist miraculously escapes after his car was destroyed by an out-of-control tractor driven by a drug-abusing teen.
Video shows Tyler Sowerby’s huge Case iH vehicle veering down the dual carriageway outside an RAF base and into the path of a Honda driven by William Davis.
Mr Davis had little time to react when 19-year-old Sowerby collided head-on with his car last September, dramatically running over and destroying the Honda.
Sowerby, from Lazonby, near Penrith in Cumbria, admitted in court today that he was driving recklessly and incapacitated by drugs.
He had previously admitted to a separate drug-driving offense committed in February after being pulled over by police. A blood test showed he had exceeded the legal driving limit for cocaine.
The court heard that he had no previous convictions.
Video shows Tyler Sowerby’s massive Case iH vehicle veering down the dual carriageway outside an RAF base and into the path of a Honda driven by William Davis
The tractor overtook the median and headed straight for Mr. Davis’s car. The driver, later identified as Sowerby, hit the car and drove on, completely mowing the Honda. Then the tractor overturned
Tyler Sowerby, 19, (pictured) from Lazonby, near Penrith in Cumbria, admitted to driving carelessly and incapacitated by drugs
Dramatic footage of extensive damage to the Honda was shown at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, while video captured the incredible collision.
The Magistrates’ Court of Carlisle learned today that Mr Davis had driven past RAF Mildenhall shortly after midday on 24 September last year along the A1101 at Beck Row in Suffolk.
As Mr. Davis did so, Sowerby approached him, pulling a trailer “loaded with grain” and “floating over the road,” the prosecution said.
Video shows the tractor overtaking the median and heading straight for Mr. Davis’ car. The driver, later identified as Sowerby, hit the car and drove on, completely mowing the Honda. Then the tractor overturned.
The court was told that Mr. Davis thought Sowerby would get back on his ‘own side’ of the road, but the teenager was unsuccessful.
“He hits the car with his tractor and the tractor flips over,” prosecutor Graeme Tindall told the court.
“When I show you the photos, you’ll be surprised there aren’t any serious injuries.”
Analysis gave a positive reading for amphetamine in Sowerby’s system.
Mr Tindall added: ‘He cooperated with the testing procedures.’
Defense attorney Duncan Campbell said Sowerby had lost control of the tractor.
“Thank God no one was hurt. I think this young man was taken to hospital, it was a precaution. The Honda driver was unharmed. It wasn’t as serious as it could have been,” Campbell said.
Sowerby (pictured) had previously admitted to a separate drug offense committed in February after being apprehended by police. A blood test showed he had exceeded the legal driving limit for cocaine
A detailed report from the Probation Service gave details of Sowerby’s “very difficult” background, Campbell said.
And the lawyer told magistrates, “There have been difficulties that most people don’t face. He has dealt with them. To his credit he did.’
Sowerby had previously ‘got into the drug world’, although Mr Campbell added: ‘Fortunately it has come to an end.’
The teen was convicted by magistrates in connection with both incidents. He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison with a 12-month suspension.
He must complete a rehabilitation requirement by working a maximum of 10 days at the probation service, 60 hours of unpaid work and a three-year driving ban.