Motorist’s driving was ‘like The Dukes of Hazzard’ (From York Press)

Glenn Brooham crashed car then went to party

10:34am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A DRIVER overturned his car in a field, injuring a passenger, then calmly got out and went to a party.

Glenn Stephen Brooham, formerly of Fernlea Close, Selby, lost control of his Vauxhaull Vectra on the A1041 in Carlton, and it rolled over three times.

Selby Magistrates Court heard the accident was like something out of The Dukes of Hazzard.

Brooham, 34, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Steve Ovenden, prosecuting, said Brooham, was on his way to pick up drinks for a party he was attending, with passenger Luke Keleher, when the accident happened on September 7 last year.

In a 13-page statement, Mr Keleher told police: “From the start of the journey, I felt like Glenn was driving too fast”. He called his driving “erratic”.

The court heard Brooham, now of Oak Lodge Road in Sheffield, was travelling at high speeds along the single carriageway road back from the shop, before reaching a humped road.

Mr Keleher’s statement said: “I grabbed the door handle as we appeared to be approaching the hump at excessive speed. We went over and I would say all four wheels were off the road. It was like The Dukes of Hazzard. The car snaked and lost control, Glenn was fighting with the steering wheel.”

The car rolled over at least three times, and came to rest in a field. Both men climbed out of the vehicle, and Brooham “was adamant” they should return to the house party, which was nearby, the court heard. There, Mr Keleher appeared to go into shock, and an ambulance was called about 90 minutes later.

Phil Brown, mitigating, said Brooham was the only partygoer sober enough to drive, but his driving “fell below the standard of a reasonably competent driver”, and was coupled with a lack of familiarity with the road.

However, he said there was no evidence Brooham was exceeding the 60mph speed limit.

Mr Keleher suffered an injury to his elbow in the crash, and Mr Brown urged magistrates not to disqualify Brooham, as he required his licence for his work in retail.

Magistrates endorsed Brooham’s licence with eight points, taking him up to 11, and told him he came close to losing his licence completely, adding “this is your final warning”.

Brooham was also fined £300, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £45, and a victim surcharge of £30.