Jail For Drink Driver After Badly Hurting Baby

A drink driver who ploughed into the back of a car in Peterborough - leaving a woman and her baby grand-daughter with life-threatening injuries - has been jailed.

A drink driver who ploughed into the back of a car in Peterborough - leaving a woman and her baby grand-daughter with life-threatening injuries - has been jailed.

Darius Putys, 25, had been drinking and rowed with his girlfriend just before causing the crash on the A47 Soke Parkway at just after noon on December 3 last year.   

The Mazda 6 he was driving crashed into the back of a Citroen C3, which was being driven by the 64-year-old woman from Peterborough and also contained her 14-month-old grand-daughter.

Investigations revealed the Citroen was being driven sensibly at the time and the Mazda had changed lanes as the collision happened. Putys also admitted breaking the 70mph limit and a witness said his driving was "erratic and not under control".
Both victims were left in a critical condition, the baby for about a week.

They have since improved and are recovering at home, although the baby still requires regular medical care and her injuries may affect her longer term.

Putys, of Eastern Avenue, Peterborough, was breath tested at the road side and blew almost three times the legally allowed alcohol limit.

In interview he admitted having drunk alcohol prior to the crash and having argued with his girlfriend. He left his house upset and the crash happened within five minutes.

Putys pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and on Tuesday (January 13) was jailed for two years and four months. He was disqualified for four years, after which he will have to take an extended re-test, and ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Lyndon Pickston, from the forensic collision investigation unit, said: "This was an example of truly appalling driving by Putys, who was very intoxicated, speeding and driving dangerously. He was not aware of what was going on around him and his recklessness could easily have cost two lives.

"Luckily, both victims have made partial recoveries but I'm sure the effects of what happened will be with them for life.
"I hope this sentence shows how seriously we take dangerous driving and deters others from getting behind a steering wheel after drinking alcohol."