Drink driver hit 142mph in police chase along A64 and A1(M)

Ashley Parr, 35, was more than twice the legal alcohol limit and had illegal traces of cocaine in his body during the 23-mile pursuit from the York Outer Ring Road to Junction 42 on the A1(M), said Brooke Morrison, prosecuting.

He tried to evade police by going across a hatched area as he suddenly changed direction, weaving between lanes, clipping the central reservation and swinging straight across three lanes of traffic before taking a slip road.

Ashley Parr suddenly changes direction at the last minute (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

The site manager of a housing development hit 142mph during his 10-minute flight along the A64 and A1(M) after police signalled him to stop at Copmanthorpe on the York Outer Ring Road, said Ms Morrison.

There was moderate traffic on the roads.

Defence barrister Phil Morris said the crash that ended the chase left Parr unconscious and injured him so badly he was off work for nine weeks. He had a broken shoulder bone and broken ribs among other broken bones.

“He comes before the court remorseful and apologetic,” he said. “This was a prolonged period of madness.”

Judge Simon Hickey said he had never encountered a case involving such a high speed in his entire career.

“For such driving on two arterial roads that run through our county, major roads, and driving in such a manner there can only be one sentence and that is immediate custody,” he said.

Ashley Parr drives onto a roundabout at Junction 42 of the A1(M) (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Parr, of Moorland Drive, Guiseley, Leeds, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving and drink driving and was jailed for 16 months.

He was banned from driving for 44 months and must take an extended driving test before driving alone again.

Traffic Constable Nick Simpson from North Yorkshire Police said: “This was extremely dangerous driving that could easily have resulted in the death of other road users, as well as the driver himself.

“We are relentless in our approach to making North Yorkshire’s roads safer for everyone. Removing individuals who drive in this manner sends a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I would also like to thank the member of the public who reported this driver. If you witness driving that poses an immediate danger to others, please call 999.”

Ashley Parr’s BMW 3 series airborne at Junction 42 of the A1(M) (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Police first heard of Parr’s BMW driving erratically on the A166 at Garrowby Hill shortly before 9pm on July 21. Traffic officers were alerted to be on the lookout for him and TC Simpson spotted him at the Fulford interchange heading west and followed him.

Ms Morrison told the court the police officer signalled Parr to pull over. The drink driver slowed down and appeared to be about to take the Copmanthorpe slip road. But at the last second, he swerved across the hatched marking, sped off towards Leeds and the chase began.

It ended when he lost control at the A1(M) and A63 junction, drove onto a roundabout and his car catapulted into the air.

Ashley Parr’s BMW 3 series somersaulting at Junction 42 of the A1 (M) (Image: North Yorkshire Police)

Mr Morris said Parr had no explanation for his actions. He handed in references showing a different side to Parr, who had no previous driving convictions.