Driver on diazepam hit elderly woman's car head-on

Laurence McGuigan told police he had had his eyes closed when he crossed the carriageway and smashed into a woman's car head-on

A dangerous driver smashed into a pensioner's car, leaving her with "serious and lasting injuries" after getting behind the wheel while nearly twice the limit for diazepam, police have said.

Laurence McGuigan veered on to the wrong side of Higher Walton Road in Preston on 22 June 2024 and collided with the woman's white Audi, said Lancashire Police.

Preston Crown Court heard the 34-year-old told officers at the scene he had closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the woman's car was there.

McGuigan, from Hoghton, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving with a prescription drug above the specified limit.

'Double the limit'

McGuigan, who was also seriously injured in the collision, was also banned from driving for five years.

This will start upon his release from prison.

Police said McGuigan's blood had been found to contain 1024 micrograms of diazepam per litre of blood - nearly double the legal limit of 550 micrograms.

In her victim impact statement, the woman - aged in her 80s - said: "I have always been sociable; I used to go out a lot. I would meet with my friends regularly and see my granddaughter every Tuesday.

"The whole situation has left me frustrated as I feel I have lost my freedom and independence.

"I feel tired and am more forgetful.

"I no longer leave the house like I used to.

"When I am out, I feel very aware of what everyone else is doing on the road."

Sgt Stuart Hart said: "McGuigan got in his car that day knowing that he had taken diazepam.

"Whilst it is a prescription drug, there is still a legal limit of how much can be in your system.

"McGuigan was almost double that limit."