An incident in the town of Bognor where a drug-driver lost control, triggering a devastating head-on collision on the A259 at Colworth. Keisha Barnes, at the wheel of a white Mini Cooper, confessed to potential sleepiness while driving southbound. The collision with a northbound Toyota Verso taxi resulted in severe, life-altering injuries to her passenger.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 30 last year, saw Barnes sustain injuries herself, necessitating surgery. The harrowing rescue effort involved the fire service utilizing specialized equipment to extricate both driver and passenger from the wreckage.
Following a blood test revealing high levels of cocaine, Barnes faced the consequences of her actions at Lewes Crown Court. Detective Constable Kelly Newton of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit emphasized the recklessness of Barnes’ behavior and highlighted the grave dangers of drug-driving.
Barnes, hailing from Queen Street, Littlehampton, received a two-year and six-month jail sentence, alongside a four-year and three-month driving disqualification, with a mandatory extended retest. Despite the fortunate absence of fatalities, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of impaired driving.
Detective Constable Kelly Newton from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Barnes’ actions that night were reckless and selfish. “She lost control of her vehicle after consuming drug, veering into an oncoming vehicle which gave the other driver no time to react. “This case demonstrates how drug-driving poses a serious risk to the safety of all road users, including the driver themselves. “Drugs can stay in your system for a very long time after you take them and have a long term impact on your ability to drive. “Barnes was incredibly fortunate not to have caused a fatal collision that night. “There is simply no excuse for being intoxicated behind the wheel, and we are pleased that a dangerous driver has been taken off our roads.”
