Woman four times over drink-drive limit crashed Kia under Range Rover in Southend crash

A woman from Southend was more than four times the legal alcohol limit when she crashed her Kia Picanto into a moving Range Rover, forcing her car underneath the larger vehicle in a dramatic collision.

The crash happened at around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 13 May, in Harcourt Avenue, Southend. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in the collision.

Emily Cleaves, 53, of Colchester Close, Southend, admitted one charge of dangerous driving and one charge of drink driving at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 15 May.

A court heard that Cleaves had 140 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – which is four times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Cleaves, who has no previous convictions, was placed under two interim driving disqualifications – one for each offence – and released on conditional bail. She will be sentenced on 12 June.

Sergeant Will Willsher of Essex Police said: “The manner of driving in this case was utterly unacceptable, resulting in a collision which could have caused serious injury. There can never be an excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs – it is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk the lives of other road users and yourself, you also risk a criminal conviction, losing your job, your livelihood and your reputation.

“Our team actively patrol the roads of Essex, utilising a range of tactics, including targeted patrols, to identify and arrest drivers who are over the legal alcohol or drug limit.
If you suspect someone of drink driving or drug driving, you can report it to the police by calling 999 and we will act.”