Connah’s Quay,North Wales - Flintshire woman under influence of cannabis when crashing car at speed near Deeside College

Published date: 26 March 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
Read more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter

A WOMAN under the influence of cannabis drove at high speed before losing control and crashing into a bus shelter outside a college.

Mini driver Michelle Croft had suddenly and unexpectedly become mentally ill while driving. 

She put her foot down and could remember nothing of the 8.30am crash in which she was knocked unconscious.

But after a period at a mental health unit she had recovered and she admitted dangerous driving and driving while unfit through cannabis, on which she was said to have been self-medicating because of stress.

Croft, of Wepre Drive, Connah’s Quay, was banned from driving for two-and-a-half years and placed on a 12-month community order, under which she must carry out 120 hours unpaid work.

Judge David Hale told Mold Crown Court that at the time her life was going downhill. She had separated from her long-term partner, was living with her parents and she had the care of a young child.

Croft, 36, was also holding down a responsible job and the judge said he was prepared to accept the cannabis found in her system was her attempt to self medicate.

After the crash she was admitted to a mental health unit, which was quite contrary to her normal life.

No one saw what happened coming and while she had been depressed, it had been an extraordinary thing to do.

That morning she was driving to work, she was not late but she suddenly put her foot down in a 30mph area going up to 60mph and 70mph, with other estimates putting her speed higher.

She was in the middle of the road, overtaking on hatched areas.

“You inevitably lost control and ploughed into a bus shelter which was demolished and your car was written off,” Judge Hale said.

It was half-term and the crash happened near Deeside College.

But it was very quickly discovered she had suddenly been taken very seriously ill, was admitted to hospital and fortunately it was an illness that could be treated.

She had since been discharged and now had monthly outpatient appointments.

“The only person who was hurt in this was yourself – fortunately,” Judge Hale told her.

It was acknowledged that but for her illness she would not have dreamt of doing such a thing.

Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Croft’s car was seen driving at speed on Kelsterton Road at about 8.30am on October 29 last year. She was said to be driving at 70mph to 80mph and overtook one car so fast it shook.

One witness estimated her speed as being 90mph at one stage.

She lost control and the car was found lying on its side, driver’s side up, against the bus stop. There was smoke coming from it, its wheels were out of shape and Croft was unconscious inside.

Witnesses called her driving “mad” and said if the college had not been on holiday it could have been a very serious crash.

Croft said she had no recollection until she woke up after the collision.

Oliver King, defending, said Croft, who had no previous convictions, now went to work by bus and train.

She knew the risk she posed that day and how different it could have been if it had been a college day and students were at the bus stop.

Croft was deeply ashamed.

Things had got on top of her, she self-medicated on cannabis and the unexpected psychosis led to bursts of rage and loss of control.

It was out of character and she had no memory of it, but it had been quickly treated with the appropriate medical attention.

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/160220/flintshire-woman-under-influence-of-cannabis-when-crashing-car-at-speed-near-deeside-college.aspx