The suspect was arrested after stealing a minibus on the wrong side of the road. (North Yorkshire Police via SWNS)
By Georgia Cook
A man drove on the wrong side of a divided highway and hit a cyclist — and even gave stunned witnesses a “thumbs-up.”
Darragh O’Grady, 31, stole a taxi company’s minivan after arriving at a port by ferry.
His driving led to multiple concerned calls to the police from motorists swerving out of his way.
On Aug. 24, O’Grady damaged several parked vehicles and collided with a cyclist who sustained serious and lasting injuries.
O’Grady then drove the taxi from Holyhead onto the westbound lanes of the A55 — driving in the wrong direction.
(North Yorkshire Police via SWNS)
He was filmed by another motorist giving a thumbs-up as he drove on the wrong side of the road.
Officers stopped traffic before deploying a spike strip to stop the vehicle near Rhosneigr. He was arrested and taken into police custody.
Officers found bank cards and a cellphone that had been reported as stolen on the ferry earlier that day.
In that time, O’Grady, from Ireland, had spent over £200 ($265) of the victim’s money.
He appeared for sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and other driving offenses.
He also admitted theft and fraud by false representation. He was jailed for three years.
Darragh O'Grady mugshot. (North Yorkshire Police via SWNS)
O’Grady was also disqualified from driving for 5½ years.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nick Evans said: “O’Grady’s actions that evening were reckless and inherently dangerous.
“The A55 is the main route to Holyhead Port and at national speed limit, it is incredibly lucky that no fatalities occurred.
“Without the courageous response by officers to resolve the situation, the consequences could have been devastating.
“I once again thank the community for quickly raising the alert to O’Grady’s behavior and their support throughout this investigation.”
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