Heartstopping moment drink-driver careers through air narrowly missing head-on crash with family

THIS is the heartstopping moment a drink-driver careered through the air and narrowly missed a head-on crash with a family.

Patrick Williams, 33, had been seen driving dangerously through the Cotswolds before he ended up inches away from death.

The blue Peugeot skidded, rolled and then flew through the air after Williams lost control on a country lane in Gloucestershire on Good Friday last year.

A judge said it was "a miracle" nobody was killed after the vehicle hurtled towards oncoming traffic along the A433 between Cirencester and Tetbury on April 2.

The Musty family had been taking their teenage son on a driving lesson when they were nearly wiped out by the car soaring towards them.

Dad Andrew quickly grabbed the steering wheel as his 17-year-old sat in the driver's seat to avoid a head-on crash.

The terrifying dashcam footage of the Musty's near-miss was released by police after idiotic Williams was handed a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew praised his son's "quick reactions" which saved their lives, allowing them to escape unscathed.

He said their Corsa was "somehow" only left with blue paint marks, scratches, and bullet-shaped dents from the flying debris.

"This was a traumatic experience for all of us, and the flashbacks and nightmares are a constant reminder of how lucky we are to have survived," he added.

Gloucestershire Police revealed a number of concerned passersby had stopped to help - but were met with a tirade of abuse from Williams.

They told how he was aggressive, sounded drunk and smelt strongly of alcohol, leading them to believe he had been drink driving.

One witness told cops he had earlier been overtaken by the 33-year-old and has seen him drive around a blind corner at 80mph.

When officers arrived and requested a breath sample for analysis at the roadside, Williams refused. He was then arrested.

The reckless motorist was later charged with dangerous driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without insurance and failing to provide a sample of breath.

'DRIVING LIKE A LUNATIC'

He was set to stand trial at the end of March but pleaded guilty to the offences at the beginning of January.

Appearing in the dock at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday, Williams received a nine month sentence suspended for 12 months.

Judge Sarah Regan told him: "In the words of one witness, you were driving like a lunatic."

He was also ordered to do 45 hours unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation, to pay £1000 in compensation and a victim surcharge of £156.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and will be required to take an extended driving test after this period.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer PC Tim Griffiths said the Musty family "are incredibly lucky to be alive today."

He added: "They were literally inches away from being killed or very seriously hurt."