Driver suffers brain bleed in crash with speeding car

Collision occurred outside former pub

A DRIVER suffered multiple injuries including a bleed to the brain after a speeding driver crashed into his car.

Muslum Onemli pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the collision on Ashbourne Road, Leek, on January 21, in 2020.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard Onemli, 30, of Haywood Street, had been travelling between 58 and 63mph on a 30mph road when his Audi A5 collided into the victim’s Skoda.

It left the 45-year-old victim needing treatment at the Royal Stoke University Hospital for a ‘tiny’ bleed on the brain and four fractured ribs.

Elizabeth Power, prosecuting, said: “The collision occurred outside the Flying Horse pub (pictured below). Neither car had passengers. The collision is captured on CCTV. “The victim’s car went into a wall and he couldn’t get out. The defendant’s car was damaged but he is able to get out. Both were treated by paramedics who attended. The victim had been cut out of the vehicle.

“A drug test was conducted which was negative. The defendant was able to escape the car with minor injuries. The victim had to be removed from the car by the fire service.

“He sustained a small bleed to the brain and fractures to four ribs. He was in a sling and attended physiotherapy.

“The defendant was interviewed and he said he was driving his father’s car to meet a friend. He can’t remember the speed he was driving.”

Following the accident, the Skoka was written off and the victim was unable to drive for six months - and was off work for four months.

The court heard Onemli had been ‘running late’ for football training when the collision occurred.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said: “He is a young man that’s never been in trouble before.

“The first thing he wants to say is to offer his apologies to the victim and to the court, they are sincere. He is remorseful.

“It doesn’t involve a police chase. It doesn’t involve drink or drugs. He was running late for football training.

“He increased speed as he entered town.”

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced him to a 12 month community order. He must complete 10 rehabilitation activity days, 200 hours unpaid work and is disqualified from driving for two years.

Mr Glenn said: “You are of previous good character. The collision was caused by you driving far too fast.

“There’s a huge level of remorse. The risk of reoffending is low. I think you are a decent man.

“There has been a delay in this case. All aggravating factors are absent. You don’t have previous convictions.

“The car was insured. You weren’t using a phone and you made no attempt to leave the scene. Custody is not necessary.”