A Mercedes driver has been jailed after a major crash on the A41 near the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire border left a woman with life-changing injuries.
Alexander Simmons, aged 26, of Portway Road, Twyford, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to one count each of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop and possession of a controlled drug of class B.
He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court on Tuesday, January 27 and was also disqualified from driving for six years and four months.
Detective sergeant Lyndsey Blackaby, of the serious collision investigation unit, called it an “appalling example of dangerous driving carried out at a grossly excessive speed”.
READ MORE: 'Shocking' parking by Volkswagen in key city road slammed
She said: “Simmons’ decision to overtake in such a reckless manner, and then flee the scene, showed a complete disregard for the life he had just shattered.”
At around 8.35pm on September 19 last year, a white Mercedes C63 AMG, travelling in the direction of Bicester on the A41 near Woodham was on the wrong side of the road when it collided with a red Citroen Cactus, coming in the opposite direction travelling towards Aylesbury.
Mr Simmons was driving the Mercedes and fled the scene before being arrested on September 20 and charged the following day.
The collision left the driver of the Citroen, Suzanne Pettifor, now aged 56, with serious, life changing injuries.
The Pettifor family said: “The trauma has been hard to come to terms with.
“We could have lost her. Seeing our precious mum, who was so full of life, struggle with multiple, crippling injuries is beyond devasting.
“Every day brings new challenges, her road to recovery will be long and uncertain.”
Ms Blackaby added: “Suzy’s injuries have not only transformed her own life but have also deeply affected the community she served as an Emergency Care Assistant with South Central Ambulance Service.
“She dedicated herself to helping others, and the impact of her no longer being able to support the community is profound.”
The Pettifor family added that they were now focused on helping Suzy move on with her life.
They said: “To her family and friends, she was the life and soul of every room, so full of laughter, kindness, and endless love for her children and cherished grandson.
READ MORE: Richard Branson and Stephen Hawking among county stars in new Epstein files
“She is no longer the vibrant person she once was.
“We’re relieved the guilty plea acknowledged the seriousness of what happened, and the imposed sentence has provided a degree of closure.”
Ms Blackaby said she hoped the sentence would provide some measure of justice and show the force is committed to holding dangerous drivers to account.
She said: “We remain committed to holding dangerous drivers to account and ensuring our roads are safer for everyone.”
Share