Moment out-of-control driver smashes into safety barrier after leading cops on 70mph chase through 20mph zone

SHOCKING footage shows the moment an out-of-control driver smashes into a barrier after leading cops on a 70mph chase.

Billy Ronchi, 22, was was spotted by officers driving erratically on Derby Road in Bramcote, Nottinghamshire, just after 9pm on January 18.

An unmarked police vehicle began following Ronchi's red Seat Toledo, at which point he turned into a 20mph side road and pulled over when indicated to.

But as one cop left the car to speak to Ronchi, he sped away.

The officer ran back to his vehicle and turned on the emergency sirens, engaging in a pursuit with the rogue motorist.

Ronchi hit speeds of more than 70mph in roads with both 20mph and 40mph limits and almost collided with a van and an oncoming car.

The reckless driver went through red lights and over a roundabout before braking to avoid colliding with an HGV.

He then proceeded to speed down the wrong side of the carriageway on Coventry Lane.

Here, Ronchi lost control of the car, causing it to bounce off a metal barrier and spin in the carriageway multiple times before coming to a stop.

The collision caused a significant amount of damage to the front of the car and debris was left strewn across the road.

Officers pulled Ronchi from the smoking vehicle and arrested him.

Ronchi admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without a licence or insurance.

The defendant appeared at Nottingham Crown Court, sitting at Nottingham Magistrates Court, on Tuesday, October 8.

Recorder Michael Stephens handed him a 16-month sentence suspended for two years.

Ronchi was also disqualified from driving for three years, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to attend 14 days of rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a victim surcharge.

Ronchi, of Baker Street, Alvaston, Derby, had been disqualified from driving in early 2023 after being caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

He later told police he thought this disqualification had expired after six months.

Ronchi claimed that he hadn't realised it was a 14-month long disqualification.

The court heard how Ronchi had allegedly also only bought the car that night an hour earlier and had a 15-year-old passenger in the car.

His lack of licence also meant he was not insured to drive, and the icy weather conditions on the night meant his actions were even more dangerous than they would've been otherwise.

'STUPID AND IMPULSIVE'

Mr Stephens told Ronchi: "At the age of 22 you have already got one conviction under your belt. That's not a good start to anyone's criminal career.

"It seems you are lucky to find yourself with only a dangerous driving charge.

"From the way you were driving, you could've ended up with a charge of causing serious injury or even death. You went at extraordinary speed.

"How no one else was involved in the collision is only thanks to good fortune, it seems to me.

"This was a stupid, wrong and impulsive piece of behaviour."

Sergeant James Skeats, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Ronchi demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety of other road users when he sped through a built-up residential area in such a reckless manner.

“Thankfully no one was injured by his display of driving that night, but that is no thanks to him.

“Ronchi avoided colliding with another vehicle through sheer luck as he drove at excessive speed and along the wrong side of the carriageway for a significant distance.

“He was very fortunate not to suffer serious injury when he lost control of the car and crashed into a safety barrier.

“The message from the force is clear. We will not tolerate people who break the law by driving vehicles in a manner that puts other road users, and themselves, at risk of serious injury or death."