Driver jailed after crash leaves three with life-changing injuries

A man received a prison sentence following a serious collision in Shropshire that resulted in three people sustaining life-changing injuries. Djay Marques, 26, of Carisbrooke Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, was involved in a collision with another vehicle while driving on Parkway in Woodside, Telford, in November 2023. On 29 November, at Shrewsbury Crown Court, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. This followed his guilty plea to three charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, in addition to driving while disqualified, handling stolen goods, and dangerous driving. Furthermore, Marques was issued a driving prohibition lasting three years and nine months. West Mercia Police reported that the collision inflicted significant damage on the other vehicle, necessitating the extrication of its three occupants by the fire service. Although Marques fled the location, police stated that the force of the impact caused his mobile phone to automatically dial 999, thereby establishing his presence at the scene. After a search operation, Marques surrendered to law enforcement in June 2024. PC Ben Ward, from the force, commented, “Marques’ actions that night not only left three people with life-changing injuries, but also delayed us getting any form of justice for them after he fled the scene.” Ward added, “I am grateful to the judge for the sentence he has handed to Marques, and I hope it is able to bring some sort of closure to his victims, who have already suffered enough.”