Three years for motorist who injured cyclist

An unlicensed motorist responsible for a hit-and-run collision with a cyclist has been jailed for three years and banned from driving for three years on his release. John Wilson admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a blood specimen for analysis and driving without a licence.

The Northern Echo reports that the incident took place on the Woodhouse Close Estate in Bishop Auckland on May 17.

Concern had been raised over the manner of Wilson’s driving earlier in the day and when police came across his Vauxhall Astra shortly before 10am, it was driven off “at speed” despite officers deploying the police light and siren.

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Prosecuting, Rachael Masters said that Wilson made late turns and drove on the wrong side of the road, causing other motorists to take evading action. At one point, he hit a 27-year-old cyclist, who suffered fractures to the neck and pelvis, as well as multiple abrasions and scalp lacerations. The pursuing officer stopped to help the victim until paramedics arrived on the scene.

The cyclist, who has no memory of the incident, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough and is now awaiting neurological tests.

Recorder Anton Lodge told Wilson: “Having crashed into that cyclist and caused him to be thrown into the air, you drove off, without giving a care for how he was.”

At some point after the collision, the Astra was found abandoned, Wilson having crashed into the fence of a house in St Helen Auckland. He was then arrested at a nearby farm.

Police said he appeared heavily intoxicated, although not through alcohol. Masters said his speech had been slurred and that he failed a ‘straight leg’ test.

While Wilson also didn’t test positive for cocaine or cannabis, he refused to give a blood sample which would have allowed for testing for other substances.

When asked if he had taken anything else, Wilson declined to comment. However, John Turner, mitigating, told Durham Crown Court that he was on a methadone programme and had also taken prescription drugs. “His first reaction was that he panicked, but he was concerned ‘about the lad’.”

Turner also said Wilson had written a letter of apology.

Wilson’s prior record includes failing to stop for police and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.