Learner Driver Takes Subaru Impreza to 137mph During Police Chase, Blows Engine

On July 20, a 23-year-old man from Cornwall, England, Leon Lloyd, went out and bought himself a used Subaru Impreza, even though he didn’t have a driving license yet. That same day, as he was pulled over at a rest stop, he saw a police unit approach him, so realizing he was about to get caught driving without a license, he decided to try his luck at fleeing.

His luck only took him about 9 miles farther, Fox News reports. Lloyd jumped in the car and sped off, reaching speeds of 137 mph on the 60 mph highway. Dashcam footage from the police cruiser shows him switching lanes without due caution, weaving in and out of traffic, and driving recklessly. You can see a video with the chase at the bottom of the page as well.

The good news is that no one was hurt in the high-speed chase. The bad news (for Lloyd, that is) is that he blew his engine 9 miles from the place police had spotted him. Smoke came out from the car and it came to a halt, and the police rammed into his vehicle to keep him from attempting to drive off again.

According to the media outlet, the other day in court, the prosecuting attorney told the judge that “the police were surprised the Subaru could go that fast, and in fact its engine blew up.” The man admitted to speeding, driving recklessly and without a license, and the judge made sure to warn him again of what could have happened before sentencing him.

“There were dozens and dozens of vehicles coming towards you,” the judge said. “One slight hiccup with the steering wheel would have caused a collision with possible multiple fatalities.”

Lloyd was sentenced to 8 months in jail and a 3-year driving ban.