A driver lost control of his automatic car and ended up hitting a man and crushed him against a building.
Nabyom Kiflom caused serious injury to a 61-year-old man after hitting him with his vehicle and crushing him against a wall in Newcastle city centre. The man was left with a badly broken leg which required a metal plate to be fitted and had to undergo multiple skin grafts.
The collision happened as Kiflom attempted a manoeuvre in his vehicle and accidently stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. The car then sped forward, hitting the man, who was on a night out with friends.
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On Wednesday, Kiflom, of Newbolt Court, Felling, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for causing serious injury by careless driving. The 30-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard that on July 9 last year, a man was on a night out in Newcastle with friends when he was walking along High Bridge Street at around 11.30pm. When he reached the junction with Pilgrim Street, the man heard someone shout "get out of the way".
Sue Hirst, prosecuting, said: "Before he could react, he was suddenly hit by a car and crushed against the corner of a building. He thinks he landed on the bonnet of the car and hit his head on the windscreen. The car was being driven by the defendant."
The court heard that before the collision, a witness saw Kiflom behind the wheel of the automatic Toyota Aygo when he performed a sudden three-point turn in the middle of the road and mounted a pavement. The witness said Kiflom then drove on the wrong side of the road before he drove down High Bridge Street - a no entry road - before hearing a "loud bang".
Ms Hirst said Kiflom had pleaded guilty on the basis that he "lost control of the vehicle momentarily" after he "accidentally tapped the accelerator foot pedal instead of the brake". The car then "sped forward drastically" but due to his lack of driving experience, he was unable to "react appropriately" and was unable to regain control.
Kiflom, who was of previous good character, was said to be "sickened" by the collision and will "never be able to express how sorry he is". The court heard he stayed and attempted to assist at the scene.
The 61-year-old victim was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary after sustaining deep lacerations and an open fracture to his left leg. He underwent surgery and a cage was put on his leg along with multiple skin grafts. A metal plate was later fitted into his leg and he still is unable to work and suffers feelings of depression.
Sophie Allinson, defending, was not required to fully mitigate after Judge Sarah Mallett indicated she would not be sending Kiflom straight to prison.
Judge Mallett sentenced him to three months prison, suspended for one year and ordered him to undertake 200 hours unpaid work. He must also pay £2,000 compensation and was banned from driving for 18 months. He will have to sit an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.
