SHOCKING camera footage taken from a property on Oakridge Road shows the moment a drug driver collides with a traffic island at 70mph - seriously injuring his 25-year-old passenger. 

James Ian Christopher, of Pear Tree Way, Oakridge, was today (April 25) sentenced to more than three years imprisonment at Winchester Crown Court for dangerous driving causing serious injury, and while on more than 12 times the legal limit of a cocaine compound.

On February 28 2021, Christopher, 36, drove his Vauxhall Astra along Oakridge Road - which has a 30mph limit - at more than twice the legal speed.

The father-of-four collided with a traffic island and was ejected from the vehicle along with friend Luke Briggs.

Mr Briggs has been left with an array of physical and mental ramifications from the collision, including a fractured skull and swelling on the brain.

READ MORE: Father-of-four sent to prison for colliding with traffic island on Oakridge Road at 70mph after taking drugs

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Mark Furse, from the serious collision investigation unit at Hampshire Constabulary, said: "It is sheer luck that nobody was killed with Christopher driving at such high speeds through this residential area, while 12 times over the legal drug limit.

"As you can see from the dash cam footage, he showed total disregard for the safety of anyone else on the roads, including his own friend in the passenger seat, who has been left with life-changing injuries.

"As he heads to prison following this sentence, he is extremely fortunate that he doesn't have someone's death on his conscience."

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