Drunk driver who took neighbour’s car jailed after crash leaves passenger seriously injured
Court hands two-year ban and suspended prison sentence following Goldhay Way collision
A 38-year-old woman has been disqualified from driving after crashing a neighbour’s car while under the influence of alcohol, leaving her passenger with 'life changing' injuries.
Martyna Bryniak took the vehicle without the owner’s consent and drove it along Goldhay Way in Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, on 9 March last year. The journey ended when the car collided with trees.
Following the crash, Bryniak left the scene, abandoning her passenger who suffered severe and life-altering injuries, including multiple fractures to her leg.
Police later identified Bryniak as the driver and arrested her at her home in Hinchcliffe, Orton Goldhay. She failed a roadside breath test, and further testing showed 159 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine, well above the legal limit.
Bryniak pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, and driving without insurance.
Appearing at Huntingdon Law Courts on Thursday, 26 February, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for two years.
In addition, the court ordered her to pay £5,000 in compensation. She must also complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work as part of her sentence.
In sentencing, the judge said the devastation and damage was “all caused by your decision to put your foot on the pedal that took you both on that journey.”
Sergeant Ben Chance, who investigated, said: “Bryniak made the choice to not only get behind the wheel of a car without permission, but also knowing she was under the influence of alcohol.
“Her actions have had a significant impact - physically, emotionally, and financially - on the lives of the victim and the victim’s family.”