Novice racer caused crash which injured family and left himself in a wheelchair
A NOVICE track racer in a “soupedup” car caused a high-speed head-on collision that injured a family-of-four and left him in a wheelchair.
Brian Taylor was driving a modified Honda Civic when he accelerated to more than 70mph in a 40mph zone and lost control of his car as he tried to overtake.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “You will have to live with this for the rest of your days.”
The court heard the collision happened at about 10.30am on July 14, 2018, on the A4043 Cwmavon Road in Blaenavon, Torfaen.
Clare Wilks, prosecuting, said Lukasz Niewiadomski was driving a Renault Scenic with his wife Anna in the passenger seat and his sons in the back.
They were travelling towards Pontypool, while Taylor was driving in the other direction.
Prosecutors said it was a narrow country road with a 40mph speed limit and was “not suitable for overtaking”.
One witness described hearing an engine revving behind her and seeing smoke coming from the Honda’s exhaust.
Another witness, who was leaving her driveway, described Taylor coming up so quickly behind her she thought he was going to crash into the back of her car. She said he went on to the wrong side of the road and she was not sure if he was trying to overtake or had lost control of his car. She knew the crash was serious and called 999.
The court heard Mr Niewiadomski saw the Honda coming directly towards him and had “no time to react”.
Prosecutors said the family were taken to A&E by ambulance, distressed and in pain. Seven-year-old Filip had injuries including a fractured shoulder, while 13-year-old Mateusz suffered internal bleeding around his pelvis, soft-tissue injuries to his hips and a fractured rib.
Mrs Niewiadomski had tenderness around her abdomen and was discharged after being observed. Mr Niewiadomski had a fracture to his foot and reported ongoing pain.
The family have been referred for counselling and in a victim personal statement read out in court, Mr Niewiadomski said: “It was upsetting to see my children injured.”
He said they were supposed to be spending the summer in Poland with family, but were unable to go. The court heard Mateusz had recently joined a football team, but was advised he should not exercise for four months.
Mr Niewiadomski said he and his wife could not work due to their injuries and were struggling to feed their family, instead having to rely on food banks and church collections.
A collision report showed Taylor braked sharply as he approached the vehicle leaving the driveway and his front wheels locked, causing his car to skid.
Ms Wilks said it was a “high-velocity collision” and calculations showed he was going at least 77mph – well above the speed limit.
She added the Honda had been “considerably modified to increase power and performance” with an upgraded exhaust and racing-style steering wheel.
The judge noted: “He used track racing.”
Ms Wilks said Taylor was a novice driver on the track and went to race days.
Taylor was not interviewed by the police until June 24 this year, almost a year after the collision, due to his own “significant injuries”.
He described himself as a “confident driver” and said he knew the road “really well”, but could not remember what happened.
The defendant accepted he enjoyed driving fast and “got a thrill” from track racing.
The judge noted: “He was very candid with the police.”
Taylor said he could not remember how fast he was driving and when the estimated speeds were put to him, he said he would describe that speed on the road as “dangerous” and “idiotic”.
The 31-year-old from Cwmavon it for
Road in Blaenavon, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Hashim Salmman, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and a clean driving record.
In a pre-sentence report, the defendant said: “There is nobody alive who has learnt the lesson harder than me.”
Mr Salmman said: “He has suffered the most tremendous punishment already.”
The court heard his relationship broke down and he lost his job. He spent four months in hospital and now uses a wheelchair, with his mother acting as full-time carer.
Mr Salmman said his client suffered leg fractures, a broken arm and broken bones in his face. He also had several strokes and was paralysed down one side.
He told the court: “This defendant will live with his decision for the rest of his life.”
The defence barrister said the case had “unique circumstances” and asked for any prison sentence to be suspended, not immediate.
Judge Jenkins noted the driving caused “very serious injuries” and had an ongoing effect on the family and the defendant.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Jenkins said: “The vehicle you were driving had been modified – to use the vernacular, souped-up – for you to drive on racetracks.” He said the defendant accelerated to a speed that was “wantonly dangerous” and was left permanently disabled.
The judge added: “One could not ignore the ongoing effect this has had on you. Exceptionally, you have received punishment more than any prison sentence could mete upon you.”
Taylor was given a 16-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.
He was disqualified from driving for two years and will have to pass an extended re-test. He must also pay £340 costs.