Drug-driver jailed for causing serious collision by dangerous driving

A drug-driver who caused a serious collision, leaving one person in hospital for a month, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Phillip Barber, aged 39, of Lluest, Ystradgynlais, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, 8 February, for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug-driving.

At 10.10am on Wednesday, 12th May 2021, Dyfed-Powys Police received a call from ambulance stating there was a two-car collision on the A4067, leaving the Aubrey Arms roundabout and heading for Abercrave. 
Barber, in a Porsche Boxter, had crossed to the wrong side of the road causing a head-on collision with a Toyota Aygo. Its driver suffered a broken rib, broken sternum and whiplash, while his passenger suffered eight broken ribs, a broken collar bone, broken sternum and broken ankle, requiring a lengthy hospital stay.
Barber, whose passenger suffered four fractured ribs, whiplash, soft tissue damage to right thigh along with small cuts and burn marks on the left side of their neck, provided a positive drugs wipe.

He was arrested and blood tests later showing a reading of 646 micrograms per litre of blood (50ug) for Benzoylecgonine, or cocaine, 12.9 times the limit of 50.

Powys Roads Policing Unit Sergeant Matthew Thomas said the collision had serious consequences for his victim.

“This was a serious collision that left his victim in hospital for a month with nasty injuries,” he said.
“Barber’s sentence reflects this and I hope it offers some closure for the victim and their family.

“Driving while under the influence is not acceptable and it is illegal for a reason. All too often we as police officers have to deal with the consequences of people who drive under the influence or drink and drugs and we see too many people suffer serious injury or worse because of the callous and unacceptable actions of others.”

Barber was also given a driving disqualification of two years and four months.