Pregnant Mum Jailed for Head-On Crash While Six Times Over Alcohol Limit
A pregnant mother of two, Charlotte Aitken, has been sentenced to two years in prison after causing a severe road crash while driving with an alcohol level six times over the legal limit, told the Mirror. The 37-year-old from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, veered her Audi onto the wrong side of the road, colliding head-on with another vehicle carrying a family of four, three of whom sustained serious injuries. Sheriff Paul Haran, who handed down the sentence, remarked that Aitken was “extremely fortunate” no fatalities resulted from the crash.
Aitken pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while significantly over the legal alcohol limit, a decision that endangered lives and caused serious injuries. The crash, which took place in Cumbernauld on February 28 last year, occurred around 6:30 pm on a dark evening. According to prosecutor Kevin Morrow, the collision involved a Hyundai driven by a woman with her 13-year-old son in the front seat and her husband and 21-year-old daughter in the back. Witnesses reported seeing Aitken cross into the opposing lane, with one driver honking and flashing lights to warn her, though she did not respond, according to the Daily Record.
The Hyundai driver, unable to react in time, collided with Aitken’s vehicle, which was traveling at around 40-50 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone. She remained unconscious after the impact and had to be cut free from the wreckage. The court heard she suffered severe injuries, including a deep knee laceration requiring surgery, five fractured ribs, and a broken wrist. Her daughter also sustained bowel damage, necessitating two surgeries, while her husband endured rib and breastbone fractures and also underwent bowel surgery. The couple’s son escaped with minor bruising but has since required cognitive behavioral therapy to process the trauma.
A passing driver assisted Aitken, who was semi-conscious, from her severely damaged vehicle. Hospital tests confirmed a high blood alcohol level of 305mg per 100ml—far above the legal limit of 50mg.
Aitken’s defense lawyer, David Storrie, stated that Aitken, who is 12 weeks pregnant, accepted full responsibility and expressed deep remorse. Following the incident, she completed a 16-week inpatient treatment program and drastically reduced her alcohol consumption.
Sheriff Haran acknowledged Aitken’s steps toward rehabilitation but emphasized the severity of her actions: “You are extremely fortunate that this incident did not result in fatalities.” In addition to the custodial sentence, Aitken was disqualified from driving for seven years and will be required to retake her driving test.