Ban for driver after 'completely avoidable' crash sent military vehicle flying

A woman who caused a military Land Rover to flip over and crash on a dual-carriageway has been spared jail.

The driver of the Land Rover Defender was left with a suspected broken back after the incident on the A43 at Hulcote, Northamptonshire, on 10 January.

Crenguta Aruxandei was handed a six-month suspended prison term and a one-year driving ban.

Northamptonshire Police released dashcam video of the "completely avoidable" crash, showing the 44-year-old slowing down in an Audi Q2 and moving from the outside to the inside lane.

Her sudden move across the carriageway towards an exit - in front of the Land Rover - forces its driver to take evasive action.

But the resulting swerve to avoid hitting the Audi destabilises the military vehicle and its trailer, sending them flying into the air and rolling across both lanes before coming to a stop.

Aruxandei, of Old Factory Way, Northampton, was sentenced earlier this month at Northampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving, police said.

Her jail sentence was suspended for 18 months and she was disqualified from driving for 12 months. She must sit an extended test before regaining her licence and was ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.

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In a statement confirming details of the injuries caused in the crash, Northamptonshire Police said: "The 36-year-old driver was thrown from the Land Rover and sustained a suspected fractured back and was taken to the University Hospital Coventry.

"His 31-year-old male passenger was taken to Northampton General Hospital with a significant head injury."

Aruxandei initially opted to go to trial at Northampton Crown Court, but changed her plea to guilty before a jury had been sworn in.

Detective Constable Eleanor Hudson, of the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Holding a driving licence is a privilege and a responsibility and there is no place on our roads for drivers who put the lives of innocent members of the public at risk.

"This was a completely avoidable collision on one of our major roads, which has left two other road users seriously injured and I am pleased that Crenguta Aruxandei will not be able to get back behind the wheel without passing an extended test to ensure she is safe to do so.

"Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and our partners at the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance.

"We will continue to take robust action to remove unsafe drivers from our roads."

(c) Sky News 2026: Ban for driver after 'completely avoidable' crash sent military vehicle flying