Justice has been won for a Bradford private hire driver who was left wheelchair bound after being involved in an accident caused by a dangerous driver.
High Speed Smash
35 year-old Mohammed Sadiq had just dropped off a passenger, in the early hours of September 1st last year and was heading back into Leeds city centre when he was hit head-on by a Vauxhall Astra that was driving on his side of the road with its headlights off.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the driver of the Astra, Dominic Croasdale, had been driving at 78mph when the accident happened. A passenger in the Astra was killed while another lost a thumb.
Croasdale had been flagged down by the police but had opted to try to get away – leading to the tragic collison that killed one and left Mr. Sadiq disabled for life.
Mr Sadiq doesn’t remember anything from the incident and was only aware of what had happened when he awoke from his coma 10 days after the accident.
He was left had two broken legs and suffered severe internal injuries. The court heard that he is now permanently confined to a wheelchair and suffers a lot of pain. He is therefore unable to work or support his family.
Prosecutor, Nigel Wray, told the court of how Mr Croasdale had been released from prison on license after serving a four and a half year sentence for manslaughter.
Justice
Judge James Spencer said Mr Croasdale was ruthless and did not have any hesitation in putting other peoples lives at risk to save his own.
He commented: “When the police car tried to pull you over you decided to drive away from it. Your concern at that stage was solely for yourself and for no one else.”
Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Taylor added: “Dominic Croasdale’s decision to drive dangerously to avoid being stopped by the police that night resulted in the death of his friend.”
Mr Croasdale admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He has also been banned from driving for ten years.
We can’t help but wonder if eight years is a long enough sentence? Mohammed Sadiq will live with the terrible consequences of Croasdale’s actions for life.