Former Manchester United star Brandon Williams has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after he was caught speeding at 99mph before a crash in Cheshire.
Williams, 24, was seen driving at high speeds in an Audi A3 on the A34 near Handforth, Cheshire, on 20 August, 2023.
The defender, who was on loan at Ipswich Town from United on the time of the incident, was with a female passenger, driving at almost 100mph in a 70mph zone with a balloon in his mouth.
The automotive collided with a blue Ford Fiesta at around 6.17pm before crashing into the central reservation.
The CPS said witnesses called the police and Williams was breathalysed, however the test was negative.
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Williams was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries after which taken to Middlewich custody suite.
Williams pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court on Friday to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance, the CPS said.
The CPS said Williams admitted he was the motive force of the Audi in a prepared statement, but denied it was uncontrolled and blamed the collision on the actions of one other driver that forced him to swerve into the central reservation.
He was asked concerning the witnesses who saw him with a balloon at his mouth, but he replied, ‘no comment’, the CPS said.
Andrew Madden, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: ‘Brandon Williams’ driving on that day clearly fell far below what can be expected of a reliable and careful driver.
‘Expert evaluation showed that he was driving at 99mph 4 seconds before he hit the Ford Fiesta.
‘Witnesses said Williams kept speeding up after which breaking sharply. It was clear he wasn’t answerable for the vehicle.
‘The driving was erratic and the speed was grossly excessive. Eventually, Williams lost control completely and crashed.
‘It’s fortunate nobody was seriously injured or killed. To drive at 99mph in those circumstances was extremely dangerous and placed the lives of other road users at serious risk of harm. The Crown Prosecution Service wishes to thank the witnesses for supporting this prosecution’
Williams joined the United academy aged nine, progressing through the club’s youth ranks before he was handed his senior debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019.
After a string of impressive performances, Williams signed a brand new four-year contract at Old Trafford in August 2020 but first-team opportunities would dry up the next season.
He spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Norwich City, spending last season with Ipswich Town.
Williams was released by United at the tip of his contract last summer and stays a free agent.
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