Drink and drug driver jailed after Warrington crash leaves child in coma
Bridie Trotter's been sentenced for more than two years
A Warrington woman has been jailed for more than two years after causing a serious crash while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, leaving a young child in her car with multiple injuries.
Bridie Trotter, 36, of Scott Street, Fairfield and Howley, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 18th July, where she was sentenced to 27 months in prison. She had previously pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving and drug driving.
The incident occurred at 9.30pm on 30th August 2024, when Trotter was driving a Honda Jazz along Birchwood Way, Warrington, with two young children in the vehicle. She collided with a Skoda Roomster travelling in the opposite direction.
One of the children in Trotter’s car suffered serious injuries, including a deep forehead laceration, a broken nose, fractures to both collar bones and a fractured pelvis. The child was placed in an induced coma and remained in it until 3rd September. The second child sustained bruising.
Trotter herself was trapped in the wreckage and suffered a leg fracture. The pregnant driver of the Skoda and her passenger also sustained multiple injuries, including cuts and bruises.
Following the crash, Trotter was taken to hospital and tested for alcohol and drugs. Her blood alcohol reading was 137 milligrams per 100 millilitres—well over the legal limit of 80 milligrams. She also had 195 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, per litre of blood—almost four times the legal limit of 50 micrograms.
Trotter was also handed a four-year driving ban in addition to her prison term.
Police Constable Jamie Roberts said:
“I welcome the custodial sentence handed to Trotter. She decided to not only get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking alcohol and taking drugs, but also with two young children in the car.
“She clearly showed no regard for the safety of those children or the safety of other road users. Her dangerous driving caused a number of injuries to innocent people, most seriously to a child who spent days in an induced coma as a result.
“The rules of the road are in place for a reason and I hope Trotter spends her time in custody reflecting on her decisions.”