Bristol man's 100mph suicide bid driving into Cabot Circus
A Bristol driver's suicide mission to smash his speeding car into Cabot Circus failed when he crashed into another car first.
Depressed James Williams was seen to hurtle down the M32 in his Ford Puma at about 100mph, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Instead of killing himself he flipped the car on a reinforced wall at a pedestrian crossing and caused himself and another driver, Jamie Haynes, serious injuries – as well as causing £213,722 damage to the new House of Fraser building.
Though he had wanted to die, Williams lived thanks to the immediate first aid he received from a Bristol Royal Infirmary doctor who arrived by chance.
Williams, aged 24, of Fabian Drive, Stoke Gifford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing criminal damage after the incident at 1am on December 12 last year. He was jailed for 21 months yesterday by recorder Mr Gordon Bebb.
Williams, who still bears scars from the crash and has been left with a limp, was banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended driving test.
His distraught parents declined to comment as they left the court.
Brendon Moorhouse, prosecuting, said that around 1am on December 12 last year motorist Keith Owen entered the 60mph zone inbound on the M32 and saw Williams overtake him at an estimated 100mph, leaving Mr Owen feeling "like he was standing still".
Another driver, Alastair Rutherford, was in the 30mph zone at the end of the motorway when he saw Williams, and estimated him to be travelling at 100mph.
Mr Moorhouse said: "He said the car rocked as it passed, and it sounded like the driver was still trying to accelerate. It sounded like he had his foot to the floor."
The court heard Mr Rutherford stopped at a red traffic light but watched as the Puma sped through without braking.
Pedestrian Christopher Marks was walking towards Cabot Circus when he was passed by the Puma and estimated it to be doing 60- 70mph, said Mr Moorhouse.
"He heard tyres or brakes screeching," he told the court. "He looked over and the car hit a low wall on its front driver's side, which launched the car into the air. The car spun, landed on the roof of a car at the lights, spun again, the driver's door flew off and the car stopped by the shop.
"He saw a man lying on the pavement and it was Mr Williams, flung from his vehicle."
The crash pushed Mr Haynes' Audi A6, which was waiting at a red light, on to its side, writing the 11-year-old car off, the court heard. HGV driver Mr Haynes suffered a fractured shoulder, four fractured spinal vertebrae, a broken rib and punctured lung.
Mr Moorhouse said police traced a work colleague of Williams, Claire Hathaway, who told them she received a series of texts from him including: "I've gone past being fed up".
Police also traced an apparent suicide note in which he wrote: "Crazy, what I'm going to do now. Sorry."
In interview Williams accepted the incident was an attempt to commit suicide.
Richard Belt, Cabot Circus centre director, said: "Following the damage to the windows of the House of Fraser building, we can confirm that work to replace the glass is scheduled to take place in September.
"As one of the largest shop windows in Europe, manufacturing a glass frontage of this scale is a complex process and has taken several weeks to complete."
The recorder told Williams he had risked the lives of other drivers and pedestrians.
He said: "It's clear you suffered from serious depression and the purpose was to kill yourself."
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by Will, Montpelier, Bristol
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 6:22PM
“The legal framework which supports and protects the country in which we live will never be perfect, the resulting factor of this incident is a young man has been imprisoned for 21 months as a result of his actions, where harm through his actions was caused to another member of the public. Some will argue 21 months is not long enough, some will argue it is not the best use of the custodial service given the challenges faced by it today. 21 months is a period of time that will allow self reflection should it be sought. Moving away from the proportion and or acceptance of guilt and addressing the issue at hand with fact; the fact remains that those involved in this incident have physically survived, mental scars will exist with all those directly involved on both sides and those who love them, and it is you who need to be strong and support and if necessary forgive those you love. This incident comprises a truly unique set of circumstances were the intertwinement of people going about their everyday business resulted in a incident, one which avoided a tragic outcome, no doubt as a result of the professionalism of our emergency services, so to you well done for yet again doing what you do so well.
Time will allow all the people directly involved and affected by this incident to move on, learn and heal.
My thoughts are with all those affected.”
by Mo, Horfield
Friday, July 24 2009, 10:43PM
“It is not a very pleasant story specially those affected including the family of the young man who caused the accident.
I don't believe in speculation, but you should all know about the way the legal system works. Plea guilty to a charge so you get away with a lesser sentence. Admit the cause of an accident to be depression, or diminishing of responsibilty then you get away with even more. 21 months in jail (not in my life time), be rest assured at most he may have to spend 1/2 of his sentence. in a few months his solicitor will apply for supervision under medical care and this guy will be out before Xmas. Don't take my word for it, ask a friendly solicitor for information.
Those who feel sorry for this guy and his sentencing, don't worry about it, when he is released and start driving again, pray to god that his driving and lack of common sense won't catch up with you or a dear member of your family.
Someone trying to suicide, won't go down motorway late at night. However, I have seen many cases of driving without due care where the driver was under influence of drug or alcohol.”
by Butch Hazelwood, Bristol
Friday, July 24 2009, 10:24PM
“@Mamma Easton, thank you for an intelligent , well phrased, sympathetic and entirely appropriate assessment of the issues at hand here. @Geoff, Clifton, with respect, s t f u.”
by geoff, clifton
Friday, July 24 2009, 8:01PM
“oneway to try and kill yourself and cause plenty of damage”
by Mamma, Easton
Friday, July 24 2009, 7:59PM
“I don't agree that prison is the answer to this situation. Mental Health Services would be more appropriate. Depression affects every person differently, and quite often people underestimate the seriousness of the condition. Just because somebody doesn't sit around crying all day it does not mean they are not depressed. This could have been a spur of the moment act triggered by something, or a planned event, it's impossible to tell. However, having worked in this field for a long time, I can assure you that most people who decide to kill themselves acutually do not have the mental capcity to assess outside of the situation at the time, therefore the idea of being able to think about how actions affect other people would not have come into it.
Don't get me wrong, I have full sympathy for those involved in this accident, and it is very hard when you or someone you love is caught up in something like this. Of course, it's natural to want some kind of justice, however in this case, I would seriously doubt that being locked in a prison is the right kind of justice. Prison is not a place for people with mental illness to be able to become well again. I do agree however with the driving ban, and I would think that whilst he still suffers from depression, he should not be allowed in charge of a vehicle.
I'm sure this young man has many issues to deal with since this happened, and I just hope they have some kind of care package to co incide with this prison sentence, otherwise it will be a wasted punishment.”
by The Bryan Family, Bristol
Friday, July 24 2009, 7:15PM
“We are devastated to hear of this incident as we have known James and his family since he was eight years old. He is not a nut case and was never a selfish person. He played rugby with some of the family and loved life. So I can only say that as with all suicides or attempts at taking life, there was a moment of madness which would have followed some very deep depression. Driving into a wall at speed is a sure way to die and not like taking a handful of pills, he expected to be dead of that I am sure. To his mum and dad who we also know well and are lovely people, our hearts go out to you. You know our own first hand experience of what suicide does to a family and some of these comments here are written without any personal experience or expertise in the field. James will need help. We only hope he survives prison to get it. Knowing the man he is his punishment will be life long for the pain he has caused everyone.”
by peter, bristol
Friday, July 24 2009, 4:38PM
“I know it will be hard for him in prison and I really hope he is given all the mental heatlh support that he needs. But I have no issue with the length of the sentence itself. Despite his intentions, he nearly killed somebody! Even after the 5 year ban, I don't think that he should be allowed behind the wheel of a car again if he is still assessed as to be suffering from depression.”
by Stephen, Bristol
Friday, July 24 2009, 4:06PM
“Wonderful to see the usual 'holier than thou' brigade on here as usual”
by Lisa, Bristol
Friday, July 24 2009, 3:14PM
“Michelle, your justification is pathetic!!!!!!! I expect the people involved are so happy you can look on the bright side of this very sad story.”
by Holly, chester
Friday, July 24 2009, 2:59PM
“Im with you on this one Vicky. James was and is a lovely bloke, although we have seen each other in years, i know something bad must have been going on for him to do this. I feel for him and his family and know what its like to be in that frame of mind.
Love ya loads James. xxx”