Man jailed following head-on collision in Winsford

A man from Halewood who caused a head-on collision in Winsford has been jailed.

Matthew Pullman appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 25 August where he was sentenced to three years in prison. 

The 31-year-old of Jubilee Close, Halewood, had earlier pleaded guilty to a number of offences including to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

During the hearing, the court was told that Pullman, who did not hold a driving licence or insurance, was driving a black Ford Galaxy which was involved in a collision at around 7am on Tuesday 2 November 2021.

Pullman had two passengers in his car, a 21-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, who were both from the Winsford area.

As he drove down Bradford Road, travelling towards Winsford, the vehicle he was driving collided head-on with a grey Vauxhall Zafira which was going in the opposite direction.

Following the collision, the driver of the Zafira, a 64-year-old man from Hartford, was rushed to the Royal Stoke Hospital where it was found that he had sustained a catalogue of injuries. 

These included sternal injuries, multiple rib fractures, bruising to his lungs, a laceration to his liver, an injury to his spleen, a fractured right femur and a fractured arm. All of which resulted in multiple operations.

A 35-year-old passenger from Pullman’s car also sustained a number of serious injuries, including a fractured spine, rib fractures and a pelvic fracture.

Both men spent several weeks in hospital, but thankfully have since recovered.

During the investigation officers found that Pullman was above the drink drive limit at the time of the crash, with 104mg of alcohol in his blood per 100ml (the legal limit is 80mg/100ml). He also had benzolecgonine (Cocaine) in his system. 

Examination of his vehicle showed that the Ford Galaxy was not fit to be on the road, both front tyres were bare, and the car would not have passed its MOT. 

Collision investigators also confirmed that Pullman was speeding and on the wrong side of the road when the crash occurred.

Following the sentencing Inspector Steve Griffiths, head of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Pullman had never held a driving licence, nor had he even applied for a provisional driving licence. 

“Despite this, on the morning of Tuesday 2 November got behind the wheel of a car and drove to Winsford with his two friends. 

“As a result of his actions that day, two men were left with life-changing injuries and Pullman is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.” 

In addition to his prison sentence, Pullman was also banned from driving for seven years.

Matthew Pullman was charged with and pleaded guilty to the following offences: 

Drive a motor vehicle when alcohol above limit.
Drive a vehicle whilst unfit through a drug.
Drive a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Use a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance.
Use a passenger vehicle with insufficient tread – less than 1.6mm.
Use a passenger vehicle with insufficient tread – less than 1.6mm.
2 x serious injury by dangerous driving.

Pictured - Matthew Pullman.