A Suffolk man has revealed the life-changing effects of a high-speed crash which left him in a coma.
Adrian Pascu was seriously hurt when a speeding BMW 120 collided with his Ford Fiesta in Newmarket on January 31.
The crash happened as the 26-year-old pulled into Hamilton Road from Barbara Stradbroke Avenue at about 5.30am.
Daniel Muscutt, 22, of Hare Park, Six Mile Bottom, was given five penalty points and fined £1,460 after admitting careless driving to magistrates last week.
Mr Pascu, who has spoken about the consequences of the crash to raise awareness during National Road Victim Month, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for emergency treatment to repair his diaphragm and liver.
He was intubated and admitted to the neurosciences critical care unit, where he remained in an induced coma for 19 days.
Mr Pascu had been travelling to the third day of a probationary period for a gardening firm – a week he never completed due to injuries including a fractured pelvis, ribs and leg, a collapsed lung and lacerated spleen.
He was still in significant pain when discharged on March 6 and has lost 15kg (33lbs) in weight.
“Six months later, I am still struggling to come to terms with my accident and the life-changing effect it has had on me,” he said.
“Even just walking or sitting at times can be almost unbearable due to abdominal injuries – meaning I cannot use my stomach muscles. However, over time, with the right rehabilitation programme, I am confident that my physical health will improve.
“I also suffer from flashbacks and nightmares, and these are really hard to overcome and I become very upset. My anxiety has definitely worsened over time, but I recognise this and I am hopeful that it is another thing I will be able to overcome.”
Asiya Yousaf, serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Mr Pascu, said: “This is an incredibly sad example of the consequence of careless driving. Unfortunately, the careless actions of a driver have caused immense pain for some and left a young man with serious, life-changing injuries.
“Adrian’s story highlights the need for other drivers to take note and be more responsible when on the road. Nothing is more important than your own safety and the safety of others on the roads.”
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