Driver who hit dad so hard he was 'flung into the air' suffering devastating injuries avoids jail
| Published date | 20 July 2021 |
| Date | 20 July 2021 |
The father-of-two had been crossing Wigan Road when he was struck on May 20, causing him to be ‘flung in the air’.
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His injuries have left him unable to dress himself or even make a cup of tea.
Bolton Crown Court heard how Patel had been driving a BMW M4 at the time of the collision.
The 24-year-old, of Essingdon Street, Daubhill, was being paid to deliver cars alongside working as an audiologist.
CCTV captured him driving towards the crash site exceeding speeds of 80mph while delivering a sports car.
After reaching Wigan Road, witnesses described seeing him drive between 40 to 50mph in a 30 zone.
He braked ‘at the last moment’ after spotting Mr Vause in the middle of the road, but it was already too late.
The impact left him with several broken bones, with one of his elbows completely smashed, and nerve damage to his right side.
The court heard how he screamed in ‘excruciating pain’ while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
Prosecution barrister, Nicholas Flanagan, told the court Patel continued to drive away from the crash scene and stopped in a lay-by further down the road.
Nearby CCTV footage showed him exit the vehicle and look for damage before heading back over to Mr Vause.
Patel claimed he was making sure his handbrake was on instead of checking the vehicle over.
When interviewed by police, Patel denied driving dangerously.
He claimed that Mr Vause stepped backwards into the lane he was driving in.
He eventually pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In a victim personal statement, Mr Vause said he had enjoyed an active lifestyle before the accident.
Just two years earlier, he completed a 19-hour endurance test in which he canoed across Lake Windermere.
He also cycled 22km and climbed Scafell Pike.
He told the court he loved playing football and mountain biking with his children, as well as cooking and gardening, but can no longer do any of those things.
He revealed his wife now has to wake up at 5am every day to help dress and shower him.
The couple have been forced to put their marriage on hold and move house.
Speaking to the court, he said: "[My partner] Ashley now has to do everything around the house. I can't even make a cup of tea.
"The accident has affected my whole family, not...
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