Victim of drug-drive crash in Walton-le-Dale now scared to leave home
The woman, in her 80s, was injured in a head-on collision in 2024
Last updated 18th Nov 2025
A woman in her 80s says she no longer feels confident to go out on her own after being the victim of a head-on road crash with a drug-driver.
She was driving down Higher Walton Road on 22 June last year when a red Vauxhall Corsa, driven by Laurence McGuigan, crossed the carriageway and collided with her white Audi.
Both suffered serious injuries, but the other driver's blood was found to contain almost double the legal limit of diazepam.
McGuigan, from Horton, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court on 7 November to causing serious injuries by careless driving, and driving with excess specified drugs above the specified limit.
He was sentenced to two years in jail, and banned from driving for five years.
The victim said in an impact statement: “I have always been sociable; I used to go out a lot. I would meet with my friends regularly and see my granddaughter every Tuesday.
“Now, I would not contemplate going out on my own, I only go to the shops with my daughter as I do not feel confident going out on my own.
“Since the accident I haven’t left the house as much as I used to. I have not caught up with my friends as I don’t feel up to it. I only go to Waitrose or use the park and ride if I need to go into town.
“I haven’t seen my granddaughter in a while.
“The whole situation has left me frustrated as I feel I have lost my freedom and independence. I feel tired and am more forgetful. I no longer leave the house like I used to. When I am out, I feel very aware of what everyone else is doing on the road.”
Sgt Stuart Hart, of Lancashire Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, added: “While diazepam is a prescription drug, there is still a legal limit of how much can be in your system.
“It is not and never will be ok - it impacts real people, including those who choose to drug drive."