Drug driver sentenced over two years after crashing into black taxi injuring cabbie and passenger

Image credit: Thames Valley Police

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a man has been sentenced over a number of motoring offences in Oxford, including causing serious injury to a taxi driver and their passenger by dangerous driving.

Ryan Woolcock, aged 27, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving over the prescribed limit for cannabis, driving without insurance, failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence in a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 15 November.

Appearing at Oxford Crown Court on 15 December, Woolcock was sentenced to a total of two and a half years’ imprisonment.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and three months, and must take an extended test before regaining his licence.

At 11.30pm on 9 April this year, officers from Thames Valley Police’s Roads Policing Unit signalled for Woolcock to stop, but he failed to do so and made off at speed from Donnington Bridge Road into Iffley Road.

Woolcock, who was driving a black Peugeot 207, subsequently collided with a taxi in Iffley Road.

As a result of the collision, a 67-year-old man and a 62-year-old man, both passengers in the taxi were injured.

The 67-year-old suffered a fractured neck, while the 62-year-old sustained concussion and a muscular injury to his back and shoulder.

Woolcock was arrested nearby and charged on 5 October via a postal requisition.

As a result of the collision occurring following a police pursuit, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The subsequent local investigation concluded that no criminal or disciplinary proceedings were justified against any officer, nor was there any specific learning identified.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Naomi Hames, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, based at Bicester, said: “Woolcock was an unlicensed, uninsured driver, who was seen driving erratically in Oxford.

“As a result, our highly trained officers pursued Woolcock after he failed to stop, and he subsequently collided with a black Taxi, causing significant injuries to one man and minor injuries to another.

“The collision also caused irreparable damage to the taxi.

“When Woolcock was arrested, it was also ascertained that he was driving under the influence of drugs, and attempted to run off after the collision before he was arrested.

“The injuries caused to innocent members of the public was squarely down to Woolcock, who showed a complete disregard to both his own and other road users’ safety.

“Driving at excess speed and under the influence of drink or drugs are two of the Fatal Four, and I am pleased that he has now been convicted and sentenced for these offences.

“Woolcock, and Woolcock alone is responsible for the injuries caused, and he will now have to face the consequences of these actions.”