Drug dealer jailed after high-speed crash
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A drug dealer whose dangerous driving left a member of the public with serious injuries has been jailed for eight years.
James Johnson was driving a white Audi A3 northbound on the A1(M) on the afternoon of 28 August 2026. Police officers, acting on intelligence, signalled him to stop - but he instead pulled away.
He began to weave between heavy traffic, reaching speeds of over 130mph. Then around the exit of junction 44 on to the A659, near Tadcaster, Johnson's car collided with a taxi.
The taxi driver suffered serious injuries, including broken bones.
Johnson was arrested, and a search of the car uncovered 10kg of white powder - later confirmed to be cocaine.
Johnson, 31, from Salford, was charged with possession of content with intent to supply, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.
He pleaded guilty, and on 9 October 2026 at York Crown Court, he was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. A court order was made to deprive him of the Audi.
DC Will Robertson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Johnson showed a blatant disregard for other drivers on what was a very busy road. His car contained a large amount of cocaine, which would have spread further misery in our communities. And his dangerous driving resulted in serious injuries to a taxi driver, and destroyed his means of earning a living - his taxi. Johnson has now been made to face the consequences of his actions."