Motorist suffered head wounds and post-traumatic stress after van repeatedly swerved across motorway
A VAN driver who had cocaine, a cocaine by-product and Valium in his system sent two vehicles airborne after crashing into the back of a car on the M4.
Joseph Williams had been driving erratically along the westbound carriageway when his van struck a Kia Picanto travelling at around 64mph.
The collision left the Kia’s driver with wounds to the back of her head, extensive bruising and suspected bruising to her lungs.
Swansea Crown Court heard that the woman has since required trauma therapy and counselling and is continuing to struggle with the psychological effects of the crash.
Williams, aged 33, of Eaton Road, Brynhyfryd, Swansea, had previously admitted dangerous driving, three drug-driving offences and failing to surrender to court bail.
The court heard that police received several calls from members of the public on the night of September 5, 2025, reporting a van being driven dangerously between junction 37 at Pyle and junction 36 at Sarn.
Prosecutor Joseph Hocquard said the van repeatedly moved across all three lanes of the motorway, while its speed fluctuated between approximately 30mph and more than 80mph.
One witness, who had been travelling steadily at between 60mph and 65mph, reported being overtaken by Williams four times as he repeatedly accelerated and slowed down.
Williams was then seen moving from lane one across to lane three before returning to lane one and crashing into the rear of the Kia.
A motorist following the van described both vehicles being thrown into the air by the force of the impact.
Williams’ van overturned and came to rest on its side, leaving him trapped inside. Firefighters were called to release him from the vehicle.
A roadside drug test produced a positive result for cocaine, and further blood tests were carried out after Williams was taken to hospital.
The results showed he was almost five times the legal driving limit for benzoylecgonine, the main substance produced when cocaine is broken down by the body.
He was also above the legal limits for cocaine and diazepam, commonly known by the brand name Valium.
The driver of the Kia suffered two significant wounds to the back of her head as well as bruising across her body.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said she was receiving counselling and trauma therapy and faced the challenge of rebuilding her life each day.
Williams told the court he was “very sorry” for his behaviour and the impact it had caused. He said he had a seven-year-old daughter and was now subjected to weekly drug testing through his employment.
The court also heard that Williams failed to attend an initial hearing at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. He later missed a further hearing at Swansea Magistrates’ Court.
Judge Catherine Richards said Williams had been highly impaired by drugs while carrying out a prolonged period of dangerous driving.
She said his selfish behaviour had subjected the other motorist to a terrifying experience and had caused a significant and lasting impact on her life.
Williams received an 11-month prison term for the driving offences and a consecutive one-week term for failing to surrender.
The custodial sentence was suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation programme and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Williams was disqualified from driving for three years and will have to pass an extended driving test before being allowed back on the road.
