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Driver’s Cocaine-Impaired Crash Injures Teen and Leads to Prison Sentence
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Collision and Injuries
On September 3, 2024, David Campbell, 37, lost control of his vehicle on Bell Hill in Northfield, Birmingham, striking a traffic light before colliding with a 13-year-old girl who was pinned against railings. The girl sustained multiple serious injuries, including a brain bleed, a depressed skull fracture and a fractured spine.
Driver’s Condition and Legal Breaches
Police toxicology tests confirmed cocaine and traces of cannabis in Campbell’s system, while no epilepsy medication was detected. Although Campbell claimed a seizure caused the crash, West Midlands Police noted that doctors had repeatedly warned him not to drive because of his epilepsy, that he had failed to take his medication, and that he had not informed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of his condition.
Court Outcome
Campbell pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court. On October 14, the court sentenced him to four years and eight months in prison for driving under the influence and endangering a child.
Official Response and Safety Implications
West Midlands Police emphasized that the driver’s disregard for medical advice and failure to disclose his condition to the DVLA constituted serious breaches of road-safety regulations. Officers reported that after the crash, members of the public prevented Campbell from leaving the scene; when police arrived, an officer observed Campbell attempting to conceal drugs, which were subsequently recovered. The case underscores the risks of drug-impaired driving combined with untreated medical conditions and highlights the importance of compliance with DVLA reporting requirements to protect public safety.