Driver tries to jump out of car at 70mph
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by Keith Hunt
A driver had a miraculous escape when he leapt out of his
car on a motorway at 70mph, a court heard.
Astonished witnesses saw Daniel Irwin bale out of his Fiat Punto
and go “cartwheeling” along the carriageway.
The 23-year-old father, of Nearon Broadway, Minster, was left
covered in blood and with his clothes in tatters - but suffered no
broken bones.
Irwin later claimed he could remember nothing of the terrifying
incident, but his lawyer said it was “a genuine attempt to commit
suicide”.
A judge described his actions as “completely and utterly
self-centred and anti-social”.
Maidstone Crown Court heard he was upset after visiting his
ex-girlfriend and child in Northfleet, on June 19 last
year.
Martin Yale, prosecuting, said another driver, Simon Masters,
was about three car lengths behind Irwin on the M2 between
Maidstone and Gillingham.
“All of a sudden, the driver of the Punto got out while it was
travelling at 70mph,” he said. “It is not clear whether he opened
the door or got out of the window.
“The car carried on and crashed into the central reservation
before going across three lanes of the carriageway and coming back
to rest on the central reservation.
“It travelled about an eighth of a mile. The defendant
cartwheeled along the carriageway from side to side.
“Mr Masters applied his brakes and swerved into the middle lane.
He was able to avoid the defendant, who was still tumbling along in
the outside lane.
“He came to a stop in the outside lane. He appeared to be
motionless.”
A couple stopped their car and went over to Irwin. He was moaning
and in pain. His shoes were 15 metres away. The car was on
fire.
Irwin told the couple: “I can’t even kill myself.”
“His clothing was ripped,” said the prosecutor. “He had blood
coming from the back of his head. There were deep grazes to his
legs, arms, feet and hands.
“A witness described blood coming from everywhere and the skin
had peeled off his fingers and toes.”
The motorway was closed for three hours, causing severe
disruption.
Irwin was taken to the Royal London Hospital.
He was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and banned from driving
for 18 months after admitting dangerous driving.
Thursday, September 02 2010
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