Moment hit-and-run driver high on cocaine smashes into pedestrian outside Waitrose, leaving him with life-changing injuries and needing surgery to walk again

•  Ben Critchley, 38, was behind the wheel of his white BMW when he lost control

This is the terrifying moment a hit-and-run driver high on cocaine smashes into a pedestrian before fleeing the scene – leaving the injured man fighting for his life in the middle of road.

Ben Critchley, 38, was behind the wheel of his powerful BMW when he lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into a man in his 30s outside Waitrose on Church Street in Caversham, Reading, on December 6 last year.

Critchley, under the influence of drugs, had been trying to overtake another car before losing control. He quickly fled the scene and left the victim, who suffered life-changing injuries, lying in the road. 

CCTV footage shows the horrifying moment his car mounted the pavement whilst powering towards two men walking along the side of the road. 

He was arrested the following day and charged with drug driving and failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver on 1 June this year.

This is the terrifying moment a hit-and-run driver high on cocaine smashes into a pedestrian before fleeing the scene

Ben Critchley, 38, was behind the wheel of his powerful BMW when he lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into a man in his 30s on December 6 last year

Critchley, of Greenford, Ealing, has now been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, been disqualified from driving for four years and must take an extended re-test before getting behind the wheel again.

He was also ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.

The sentencing hearing at Reading Crown Court on November 29 comes after he pleaded guilty to a count each of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of cocaine above the specified limit, failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver and causing serious injury by dangerous driving on September 27.

Police released upsetting dashcam footage showing Critchley completing the dangerous overtake whilst under the influence of drugs at around 10.40am on December 6 last year.

He lost control opposite a Waitrose store, hitting vehicles and colliding with a male pedestrian, seriously injuring him.

Horrifying footage shows a pair of friends – one in a high vis jacket – walking along the pavement.

But Critchley’s car was travelling so fast, CCTV footage shows they barely have a second to react.

One is then thrown clear of the camera as his shocked friend swivels round in disbelief.

Critchley then came to a stop, got out of his vehicle and ran away from the scene, leaving the damage and injured pedestrian lying in the road.

Footage shows people watching him as he flees up the road past people who were going to help. 

Critchley, under the influence of drugs, had been trying to overtake another car before losing control

He quickly fled the scene and left the victim, who suffered life-changing injuries, lying in the road

Seconds before the crash (left) two men can be seen walking along the side of the road. After (right) only one man can be seen on the pavement

He is again caught on CCTV in pink shorts and a blue T-shirt sprinting from the scene.

Critchley was arrested the following day and was taken to hospital to be checked over and to have his blood taken for analysis.

He was then charged with drug driving and failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver on June 1.

He was also charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving three months later.

The victim, a man aged in his thirties, suffered life-changing injuries, and is still receiving surgeries to try and help him to walk again.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Tony Jenkins, part of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Thames Valley Police, 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.

‘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.’

Source: Read Full Article