Former Manchester United Defender Admits to Dangerous Driving Following High-Speed Crash

Brandon Williams, a former Manchester United footballer, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after being caught speeding at nearly 100mph before crashing in Cheshire. The 24-year-old was behind the wheel of an Audi A3 on the A34 near Handforth on August 20, 2023, when witnesses reported seeing him driving erratically.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Williams, who was accompanied by a female passenger, reached speeds of up to 99mph in a 70mph zone. At one point, the woman was seen recording a video on her phone while Williams had a balloon at his mouth. Witnesses described the car as being out of control before it collided with a Ford Fiesta at approximately 6:17 PM BST, subsequently crashing into the central reservation.

The impact caused significant damage to Williams’ vehicle, as well as to the Ford Fiesta, which lost a wheel in the crash. The central reservation also sustained damage. Emergency services arrived at the scene, and Williams was taken to the hospital for treatment before being transported to Middlewich custody suite for further questioning. Despite being breathalysed at the scene, the test returned a negative result.

Senior CPS prosecutor Andrew Madden stated that Williams’ driving fell far below expected standards and highlighted that expert analysis confirmed he was traveling at 99mph just four seconds before the crash. Madden described Williams’ driving as “erratic,” emphasizing that he was accelerating and braking sharply before ultimately losing control.

During an earlier court hearing, it was revealed that Williams had initially denied the charges of dangerous driving and driving without insurance. However, he changed his plea to guilty when appearing before Chester Crown Court. His lawyer, Richard Littler KC, mentioned that the case had a “mental health aspect” and that Williams had suffered personal difficulties, including the loss of his football career and a relationship.

Williams had previously been banned from driving in May 2023 after accumulating 30 points on his license. He was penalized for failing to provide police with driver information on two separate occasions involving his Mercedes, which added to an already high number of penalty points.

The former England Under-21 international, who was on loan at Ipswich Town at the time of the incident, was released by Manchester United in June 2024 and is currently without a club. He is set to be sentenced on May 9, with the judge indicating that a suspended sentence and community service are likely to be considered.

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