Driver banned after Shrewsbury crash caused 'catastrophic' injuries to passenger
A man whose dangerous driving caused catastrophic injuries to a passenger when he was 'catapulted' out of the vehicle during a crash in Shrewsbury has been handed a two-year driving ban.
Passenger Danjel Albrahimi suffered severe traumatic brain injuries, a fractured skull and fractured vertebrae in a crash on the A5 at Preston Island, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Mr Albrahimi had been a back seat passenger in a Lexus being driven by his cousin Neriton Kola, of Stapleton Road, Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, who yesterday escaped an immediate prison sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Mr Simon Parry, prosecuting, said 34-year-old Kola lost control of the car approaching the roundabout at about 74mph.
He said an HGV driver saw the car strike the central reservation before becoming airborne and then rolling a number of times.
Mr Parry told the court that Mr Albrahimi, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was 'catapulted' from the vehicle and suffered 'catastrophic' injuries.
He was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital but was transferred to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital due to the severity of his injuries, and had to be put in a medically induced coma.
Mr Albrahimi, who was visiting the UK from Albania, had emergency surgery and spent more than eight months in hospital.
Mr Parry said: "This driver lost control of his vehicle because he didn't correctly adjust his speed for the road layout."
Surface
The carriageway had been lit, he said, the road surface was dry and there was a sign warning about the upcoming roundabout.
Police found the vehicle was functioning well and the brakes were free from defects.
Kola pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving on November 24 last year.
Mr Parry said Mr Albrahimi was fortunate not to suffer any life-changing injuries and had been cared for by Kola since coming out of hospital.
Mr Adrian Roberts, representing Kola, asked for any prison sentence to be suspended, saying Kola had 'learned his lesson'.
He also told the court that Kola had a clean driving licence.
Recorder Christopher Millington QC told Kola: "You were approaching the junction at a grossly excessive and dangerous speed."
He said the crash had 'catastrophic and potentially fatal results' although it was clear Kola was 'full of remorse'.
Mr Millington QC gave Kola a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Kola was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work.
