Moment reckless driver smashes into tipper lorry and van while speeding wrong way down one-way Hackney street

Kareem Thomas was jailed today after admitting driving offences including dangerous driving, and possession of a knife.

Police tried to flag down Thomas to let him know he was driving in the wrong direction in Paragon Road, off Morning Lane, at 8.30am on September 1.

But the 28-year-old failed to stop and reached speeds of 50mph in his blue Peugeot hatchback as he raced into Retreat Place.

He then smashed into a white van, which in turn struck a Hackney Council dustbin lorry, causing “catastrophic” damage.

The scene of the crash in Morning Lane. Picture: Sam Gelder (Image: Archant)

Firefighters had to free one man from the van, and two men were hospitalised with back injuries.

Thomas fled the scene and was chased by cops into the Morningside Estate.

Police ran a check on the car owner’s address and found Thomas at home, “breathing heavily after the pursuit”, and having changed into different clothes in an attempt to evade capture.

They later found a 12-inch bladed kitchen knife in the driver’s side door compartment in his abandoned car.

Kareem Thomas. Picture: Met Police (Image: police)

Thomas, of Ballance Road, Homerton, was handed a 23-month jail term at Wood Green Crown Court today.

He has a previous conviction for possession of a knife in 2011.

Det Insp Paul Ridley from Hackney CID said: “Driving at those speeds in a heavily built up area at that time of the morning is pure stupidity – it is only through sheer luck that he didn’t kill anyone.

“The sentence in this case reflects the seriousness of this offence and the reckless manner of the defendant’s manner.

“The fact that he had a large knife, together with a previous conviction for carrying a weapon, also adds weight to the length of time he has been jailed.

“We have witnessed the devastating and tragic effects of knife crime on the community and we will use any tactics at our disposable to prevent people being hurt.”