The video will start in 8 Cancel

Sign up to FREE email alerts from NorthWalesLive - Court News Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A suspected drink-driver who crashed into a car after travelling the wrong way down the A55 at 70mph has appeared in court.

A woman was left with serious injuries following the smash which happened at Llanddulas near Abergele on Friday.

During a special hearing earlier today, magistrates at Llandudno heard that defendant David Shaw had been “struggling” since he split from his long-term partner and was believed to have drunk half a small bottle of whiskey before setting off along the carriageway.

The 42 year-old, who lives in South Parade, Pensarn , Abergele pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving to a passenger in another people carrier.

Andrew Slight, prosecuting, said police received numerous 999 calls at around 1pm on Good Friday, all from eyewitnesses who saw Shaw’s Hyundai drive west on the A55 eastbound carriageway between Abergele and nearby Llanddulas.

Several of those callers reported near-misses.

(Image: Traffic Wales)

One of the calls reported a serious crash in the overtaking lane, adjacent to a slip-road, involving the Hyundai being driven by Shaw and a black Seat.

Mr Slight said after the crash, Shaw was seen outside his vehicle and sitting on a verge on the road and slurring his words.

He was more than twice the alcohol limit when breathalysed at the roadside but blood results were still to be received, the court heard.

“I don’t know how I have ended up on the wrong side of the road,” he told police.

The Seat was being driven by Peter Maguire, 67, while his wife Anna, 62, and daughter Fiona were also in the vehicle.

They were returning to London after just having been to Ireland via Holyhead port.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Mr Maguire had been unable to avoid the collision when confronted by the Hyundai.

Luckily Mr Maguire and his daughter had only minor injuries but Anna Maguire sustained a broken wrist in the incident.

Mr Slight said Shaw had driven 2.7 miles and passed an estimated 100 vehicles going in the opposite direction.

“It’s through sheer good fortune nobody has been killed,” the lawyer remarked.

He said there were worries about Shaw’s state of mind.

(Image: Daily Post Wales)

Police had dealt with him previously after concerns he had taken an overdose and driven.

Court chairman Len Jones said that the magistrates sentencing powers weren’t sufficient to deal with the case in the court.

Shaw, who appeared in court with what appeared to be a head wound, was remanded in custody until he is sentenced at Caernarfon crown court later this month.

He declined the help of a solicitor and represented himself.

The crash caused traffic chaos on what was already a busy day on the roads during Good Friday,