A19 HORROR OF GOOD SAMARITAN
Car ploughed into helpers in ‘worst-ever conditions’, court told
A man was left with devastating injuries after he stopped to help following an accident in a ‘horrendous sequence of events’ in ‘worst -ever conditions’ on the A19.
Martin Bruce was going too fast for the ‘poor’ conditions on the A19 on August 8 last year when he lost control and slammed into good Samaritans who had stopped in a lay-by to help afteranearlierincident,South Tyneside magistrates heard.
A man suffered serious injuries, spent six days in intensive care and needed two operations in the following days after suffering right rib fractures, bruising to a lung, a pelvic ring dislocating fracture, a shoulder dislocating fracture and a right fibula fracture.
Bruce, a 30-year-old travelling salesman, had been overtaking slower cars in his Mercedes when it left the northbound carriageway near Seaham.
Prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “A number of vehicles had stopped in a lay-by near the B1404 to assist other motorists with a previous incident.
“A woman was in her vehicle talking on the phone when she became aware of an overwhelming force, which forced her car from the road and down a grass verge.
“The other injured party was on foot in the lay-by. He recalls a terrific bang and later woke up looking towards the sky.
“He suffered a number of serious injuries.
“The defendant had left the A19 and collided with a parked vehicle.
“He decided to overtake several vehicles. He disagrees he was too fast, but accepts he should have adjusted his driving to the conditions at the time.
“He believed the injured party had been injured as a result of debris and that he had not hit the male.”
The male victim said in a statement: “I use the A19 regularly and this is the worst I’ve ever seen the conditions.”
The 53-year-old and the woman from the Audi were taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital by ambulance. The nature of the woman’s injuries were not revealed in court.
The male was transferred to the RVI in Newcastle later that evening.
An x-ray showed his pelvis and ankle fractures were unstable and he needed surgery eight days after the accident.
He needed further surgery five days later, to further repair his pelvis and shoulder.
On August 26, he was moved to the major trauma rehabilitation unit.
A statement from his consultant, in October, stated that he would likely need extensive rehabilitation therapy.
Bruce, of Galway Road, Grindon,Sunderland,pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
Charlie Carr, defending Bruce, said: “It seems to have been a horrendous sequence of events which happened on a very bad day.
“There are daily crashes onthatroadregardlessofthe conditions, but it is particularly dangerous with water on the road.
“He wasn’t speeding but he concedes thatn in the circumstances he has probably gone a bit too fast for the conditions.”
He was fined £600 and was told to pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge. His driving licence was endorsed with seven points.