A MAN driving under the influence of drugs who caused life-changing injuries to a pedestrian in Caversham has been jailed for nearly three years.
The incident happened in Caversham’s Church Street at 10.40am on December 6, last year.
Ben Critchley, 38 and of Western Avenue in Greenford, lost control of his car while attempting to overtake on the busy road.
He careered into another vehicle and then went on to the pavement where his vehicle collided with his victim, a man aged in his thirties, suffered life-changing injuries, and is still receiving surgeries to try and help him to walk again.
The car then came to a stop, Critchley got out and fled the scene.
He was arrested the following day and was taken to hospital to be checked over and to have his blood taken for analysis. He was charged with drug driving and failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver on 1 June this year.
He was also subsequently charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving on September 19 this year.
A hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on September 27 saw Critchley plead guilty to a count each of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit, namely cocaine, failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver when required and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, in a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 27 September.
On Wednesday, November 29, Critchley appeared at Reading Crown Court, where he was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment, disqualified from driving for four years, with a 16-month extension period, and he must take an extended re-test before driving again.
Critchley was also ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.
Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins, part of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit based at Three Mile Cross, said: “I’d like to thank the community and businesses for their assistance with this investigation.
“This has resulted in crucial evidence being obtained, including CCTV footage, which shows the truly shocking manoeuvre at a completely inappropriate speed.
“Following the collision Critchley cowardly ran from the scene, offering no support to the injured party fighting for his life in the road.
“Other members of the public did offer their support, along with emergency services and I wish to commend their actions on scene.
“The injured party has a long road to recovery, and I wish to praise his bravery and resilience.”
He continued: “Drug and drink driving is never acceptable; it is simply not worth the risk.
“It’s important to remember that many hours can elapse and you can still be under the influence, and as we head into the Christmas and New Year period, I believe this is a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence.
“Thankfully, the victim in his case survived his injuries, although there is a long road ahead for him as he continues to recover from the ordeal.”
