Joyrider, 18, runs over five in BMW
Teen passed driving test only THREE days earlier
A JOYRIDING teenager left five men with lifechanging injuries when he mowed them down – just three days after he passed his driving test.
Max Maxwell, 18, lost control of his father’s BMW and mounted the pavement as he overtook another vehicle at high speed.
He climbed out of the window and fled after the horrific accident in Canvey Island, Essex, only handing himself in to police 20 hours later. Witnesses said that the scene resembled a ‘war zone’ as the victims – all in their 20s – were left bleeding and with open fractures.
CCTV footage of the incident was released by police after Maxwell was given a 39-month term in a young offenders’ institution this week.
His mother, Sarah, 43, yesterday said the family was ‘devastated’ by the victims’ ordeal. ‘All that I am able to say is how deeply sorry we are as a family for everything that happened to those involved on that day,’ she said. ‘If there was a way to go back and change it we would because we are so heartbroken for everyone.’
Sergeant Steve Holmes, of Essex Police, said: ‘Maxwell took his father’s car without permission then drove it in such a manner that he endangered the lives of the public.
‘He ploughed into the five men, causing some horrific life-changing injuries and ongoing emotional and psychological trauma.
‘He had absolutely no concern for them whatsoever and ran away. He then hid from us for almost 20 hours before handing himself in.
‘The footage of the collision is shocking. It is a mir- acle that none of the victims were killed.’
One of the victims, George Walker, 24, wrote on Facebook after Maxwell was sentenced: ‘ Today marks the end of a chapter and time to move on.
‘The video shows what happened on that day but it’s important to remember that we’re all still alive.’
The five friends were on their way to watch the Grand National at a pub on April 14 when Maxwell ploughed into them.
The BMW swept on to the wrong side of the road, almost colliding with an oncoming vehicle, before mounting the pavement.
The footage, taken from CCTV at a nearby house, shows cowardly Maxwell scrambling out of the window before sprinting away, ignoring the stricken men on the ground around him.
Passers- by rushed to their aid before paramedics arrived. Three air ambulances were involved in the operation to transfer them to hospital.
To show their gratitude, the men have now started a JustGiving page to raise funds for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, which has received donations of more than £9,000 so far.
On Monday, Maxwell admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance.
Basildon Crown Court heard he had taken his father’s car to ‘place a bet’. Maxwell, of Canvey Island, was also banned from driving for more than five-anda-half years and must take an extended driving test once the ban has ended.
‘A miracle no one was killed’