Driver: ‘Life never the same’ after boy racers smash
ADRIVER who suffered lifechanging injuries as boy racers ploughed into his car on a roundabout has told how “life will never be the same”.
John Tunbridge suffered brain and internal injuries, a crushed pelvis and severe leg injuries, when his vehicle was hit by a car on the A34 Stratford Road.
The 67-year-old spent six weeks in an induced coma and also underwent major surgery to repair his bowel. He has been left with a stoma and with his mobility severely compromised.
Last week, the boy racers who caused the massive collision were jailed after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Birmingham Crown Court heard James Walters, Daniel Tandy and Jack Coyne raced along Stratford Road at speeds of more than twice the legal limit. A passenger in one of the cars, Morgan Cotterill, was also sentenced after attempting to cover up who one of the drivers was.
Mr Tunbridge, who is single and retired, has now spoken for the first time about his relief at hearing that all three drivers pleaded guilty. And Mr Tunbridge, originally from Dundee, has used his experience to warn others of the consequences of dangerous driving.
The incident happened at about 11.30pm on July 18, 2019, on the roundabout by the Porcelanosa tile store.
Mr Tunbridge’s red Audi A3 had just pulled on to the roundabout from Marshall Lake Road when a black Ford Fiesta driven by Walters approached the roundabout at speed.
Moments later the vehicles collided. In the lead-up to the crash Walters had been driving in convoy with a grey BMW being driven by Tandy and a black Audi A1 being driven by then 17-year-old Coyne.
Walters and the two others had been travelling at speed for around 1.4 miles before the collision. Their driving was captured on various cameras as they travelled out of Birmingham city centre on the A34 Stratford Road. Officers
determined Walters’ speed to be approximately 62 mph moments before the crash. The limit on that road is 30mph.
Mr Tunbridge, a former IT officer, said: “Fortunately I have no recollection of the collision. I have had to piece together what happened from evidence I have seen and heard. The collision happened in a split second but the effects of what happened are still with me. Life will never be the same again.
“I’m no longer the person I used to be. I enjoyed a happy retirement in the Midlands and used be active and enjoyed going out and meeting my friends but these injuries have left me very isolated.
“I have to rely heavily on a wheelchair as I sustained very serious injuries to my pelvis and legs. I will need to see if I can learn to drive again. My internal injuries were so severe that I now have a stoma. I am hoping this can be reversed.
“My family has been amazing and have travelled from Dundee to support me when they have been able to.
“Despite my injuries I want to try to remain as positive as possible and try to make the most of life. I just hope that by speaking out people realise the physical and emotional hurt and pain they can cause others by dangerous driving and they understand the need to take care.
“The sentencing is a major milestone for me. I now feel that I can try to look ahead rather than dwell on the past and focus on my recovery.”
Mr Tunbridge’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell have secured him an interim payment from the insurers of the driver who crashed into his car, enabling him to pay for the specialist support and rehabilitation he needs.
Walters, 18, of Yardley Wood, Birmingham, and Tandy, 23, of Highters Heath, Birmingham, were jailed for 18 months and 20 months respectively.
Coyne, 18, of Kings Norton, was jailed for three years for his role in the crash as well as other offences.
Morgan Cotterill, aged 19, from Jervoise Drive, Northfield, was given a sixmonth sentence for perverting for course of justice, which was suspended for 18 months.