A recruitment consultant driving a BMW passed police at 120mph on the M32 before crashing into a car, a court heard. Marcus Cowan, who had drank alcohol, panicked when police gave chase.
Bristol Crown Court was told he left the motorway and drove dangerously before hitting a Mercedes. After damaging his own car he slowed, drove into a dead end, tried to flee but was arrested. Cowan, 37, of Stanbridge Road, Downend, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving in January. The recorder Mr Tom Brown imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
The judge told Cowan: "In this case, Marcus Cowan, the absence of serious injury or death was a matter of chance. There was a very high risk of harm to innocent members of the public and also to police officers who were acting in the course of their duties. Neither advocate doubts that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
