Coward driver admits causing serious injury in head-on crash

Mr Sumner's car after the crash caused by, inset, Tyler Smith <i>(Image: NQ/Zander Sumner)</i>
Mr Sumner's car after the crash caused by, inset, Tyler Smith (Image: NQ/Zander Sumner)
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A teenage driver has admitted causing a head-on collision which left another motorist fearing he was going to die. 

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Tyler Smith fled the scene of the crash on the A59 at Langho on February 2.

When police turned up at his home, he claimed to have sold the car a few days earlier and denied being the driver at the time of the collision.

Forensic examination of blood found on the air bag later provided a match to Smith. 

Smith, 19, of Derwent Close, Farington, Leyland, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.

Bryony Cook, prosecuting, said Alexander Sumner was driving home from work at about 7.30pm that winter day.

He noticed an HGV pulling a double-decker livestock trailer heading in the opposite direction, and then saw a BMW pull out to overtake the lorry. 

“He didn’t have anywhere to go and braked as hard as he could,” said Miss Cook.

“At that point, Mr Sumner thought he was going to die.” 

Miss Cook said Mr Sumner lost consciousness in the crash and when he came round was in extreme pain. 

He could smell smoke and was terrified the car was going to burst into flames.

“Because of his injuries, he struggled to open the car door,” said Miss Cook. 

"When he did get out, he was crawling over broken glass to try and get clear.”

Miss Cook said other motorists stopped to assist him, and one told him the driver of the other car had run off.

Mr Sumner suffered a broken collarbone and injuries to his ribs, spine and groin, but luckily did not need surgery. 

Miss Cook said Mr Sumner suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and had recurring nightmares about the incident.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph after the crash, Mr Sumner said he was in extreme pain and was just grateful he was able to see his children again.

In a victim personal statement, Mr Sumner said the incident had terrified him beyond belief.

He said he had recurring nightmares and had gone from being a confident driver to one who was on “tenterhooks”.

A guitar teacher, he said he had been unable to walk without a stick and lost the use of one side of his body for some time.

His wife had to bathe and dress him and assist him in going to the bathroom. 

He said the incident had robbed him of the pleasure of playing his guitar and piano and had impacted his ability to interact with his children.

He described the actions of Smith and his passenger as cowardly. 

“It was a hit and run, and he left me for dead,” added Mr Sumner.

Miss Cook said Smith initially denied being the driver, but when blood on the air bag of the BMW provided a DNA match he subsequently attended a voluntary interview and admitted his guilt in a pre-prepared statement.

Jane Novas-Morell, offering mitigation, said the prepared statement had also included an apology to the victim. 

“That was a very genuine apology,” said Miss Novas-Morell.

She said Smith was an inexperienced driver who had panicked. 

“The friend who was in the car with him encouraged him to run off, and in his blind panic, that is what he did,” she said. 

“When the police turned up at his address, he put forward a story, but he later admitted what he had done and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity."

She said Smith, who had no previous convictions, worked as a bricklayer and lived with his mother.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £300 compensation, a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for six months.

The chair of the magistrates said they had stepped back from a custodial sentence because Smith had no previous convictions and his young age.

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