Man banned from driving for crashing into HGV on M4

It happened around 3am on September 27 near Swindon.

Author: Harry LongPublished 23rd Dec 2022

A man who crashed into a lorry on the M4 while using his mobile phone has been banned from the roads for four years.

It happened around 3am on September 27 while 34 year-old Michael Ellul, of Greene Close in Newport, was travelling westbound on the M4between junction 16 for Swindon West and junction 17 for Chippenham.

He was also over the drink drive limit at the time. Ellul was also fined £500 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.

PC James Barrett of the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) said: “Ellul risked both his and other drivers’ lives through his actions and it is incredibly fortunate that there were no injuries.

“There is never any excuse for either drink-driving or using a mobile phone while driving.

“If you have been drinking, always arrange another way to make your journey – it doesn’t matter how well you know the roads, it’s not worth the risk.”

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