Blackburn drink driver jailed for causing collision that caused man to lose his leg

A drink driver has been jailed for more than two years after causing a collision which resulted in a motorcyclist losing his leg.

Jamie Duxbury was drunk and speeding in his Ford Kuga when he collided with the victim who was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The collision happened between junctions 4 and 5 eastbound on the M65 on September 8^th last year.

The motorcycle rider was thrown from his bike, lost his helmet and came to rest in lane 2 of the motorway. The quick actions of a witness in an HGV blocked lane 2 and protected him from the oncoming traffic. He was treated at scene before undergoing emergency surgery to remove his lower leg, an injury that has changed his life.

In a victim personal statement the victim described the appalling impact the collision had on his life saying he felt like he had ‘lost his identity’.

He suffers from memory loss as well as the devastating impact of losing his leg.

He describes how he has gone from having an almost perfect life where he enjoyed a successful business and travelling and hobbies including the Harley Davidson – which he had had for only six weeks before the collision – and playing golf to having a more negative outlook where his independence and adventurous lifestyle have been taken away.

Duxbury, 33, of Ivy Close, Blackburn, was convicted of drink driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was jailed earlier this week (December 9^th) at Preston Crown Court for 27 months. Once released he will start a two-year driving ban.

The sentence comes as Op Limit continues – cracking down on drink and drug drivers throughout December.

Sgt Dan Gunn, of Lancashire’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Jamie Duxbury was both over the drink drive limit and was driving at excess speed at the time of this devastating collision which caused appalling and life changing injuries to the victim.

“Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe and we have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired.

“I hope this sentence shows our determination to tackle impaired driving and to put people before the courts.”

In 2023, Merseyside and Lancashire made more than 6616 arrests for drink or drug driving offences or impaired driving offences. In Lancashire, males between the ages of 20-39 make up more than half (53%) of all drink and drug drivers, many of those still testing positive from drugs or alcohol consumed the night before.

If you know of a drink or drug driver, do the right thing and tell Crimestoppers anonymously https://crimestoppers-uk.org/. If the person is about to drive, always call 999 to keep them and others safe.

Visit https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/road-safety/drink-driving/ and https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/road-safety/drug-driving/ for more information.