Woman sentenced for driving the wrong way on A14 near Ipswich and hitting car
The driver blew three times over the legal drink drive limit at the road side
Last updated 26th Jun 2026
A woman from Oxfordshire has been handed a suspended prison sentence following a collision on the A14 near Ipswich, after driving the wrong way while under the influence of alcohol.
Allison Lefebvre, 59, from Hawksmead in Bicester, appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on 23rd June, receiving a 12-month suspended prison term.
In addition to the driving disqualification of 28 months, Lefebvre is required to take an extended retest.
She was mandated to complete a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and compelled to pay ÂŁ400 in compensation to the victim, as well as a ÂŁ187 victim surcharge and ÂŁ85 in costs.
At a previous hearing on 1st June, Lefebvre pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
Police were called shortly after 8.30pm on 17th December last year, following reports of a collision on the westbound carriageway of the A14 between Sproughton and Whitehouse.
A Mini One, found to be driven by Lefebvre, was travelling eastbound in the wrong direction on the westbound carriageway before colliding with a Peugeot 208 and damaging an HGV.
On failing a roadside breath test, Lefebvre recorded a reading almost three times the legal limit.
Post-arrest, she refused to provide a blood specimen while at the hospital.
Lefebvre remained hospitalised for several days undergoing treatment.
The teenage driver of the Peugeot mentioned suffering chronic back pain and anxiety since the crash, with a continued fear of driving on dual carriageways.
PC Regan Bradshaw from the Roads and Armed Policing Team emphasised the incident’s danger and the effects it had: “This was an incredibly dangerous incident that could have had a very different outcome and it is extremely fortunate that no one was killed or seriously injured.
“Allison Lefebvre made decisions that day that put her life and the lives of others at risk. I can only imagine the horror of the drivers of the other vehicles involved in the collision as they saw a car coming towards them on their side of the dual carriageway.
“The driver of the Peugeot continues to feel the physical and psychological impact of the collision. It caused her to be off work for two months and has severely affected how she goes about her day-to-day life."
PC Bradshaw advised of continued policing efforts: “Roads policing officers have seen all too often the devastating impact caused by reckless actions such as drink-driving and dangerous driving. We will continue to raise awareness of these offences – and others that cause the most harm – and not relent in our work to make our roads safer for everyone.”