The vehicle suddenly ‘swerved violently across both lanes’
A panicking driver sped off and desperately tried to escape from the police in foggy conditions after midnight – but disaster struck when the vehicle suddenly “swerved violently across both lanes” and crashed. Daniel Salihovic lost control of the Kia Sportage SUV after it “flipped” and hit a garden wall, a tree and a street sign, leaving a trail of destruction, Hull Crown Court heard.
He had no insurance at the time of the hair-raising chase and he later said that he had been at Hull Fair and did not remember anything about his frightening driving antics. Salihovic, 19, of Savannah Avenue, off Clough Road, Hull, admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, having no insurance and driving with only a provisional licence on October 12.
James O’Connor, prosecuting, said that Salihovic was driving a black Kia Sportage vehicle in dense fog in Sutton Road, Hull, at about 12.30am. A police check revealed that he had no insurance and officers illuminated their flashing blue lights and activated the sirens to ask him to stop. Salihovic increased his speed, overtook other vehicles and failed to stop.
The vehicle was later seen being driven at excessive speed in Ings Road. Salihovic overtook other vehicles and ignored a “Keep left” marker. “He swerved violently across both lanes and hit the kerb, causing the vehicle to flip and veer across the carriageway,” said Mr O’Connor.
The vehicle came to a stop on the footpath and significant damage was caused to a garden wall. The car also hit a tree, which was knocked over, and a street sign, causing damage.
There was damage to the vehicle and fragments of brick hit a parked car. Salihovic was taken by ambulance to Hull Royal Infirmary, where he told paramedics: “I don’t remember anything. I was at Hull Fair.”
Salihovic had a passenger with him at the time of the dangerous driving incident. He made no comment to questions during police interview and he had no previous convictions.
Claire Holmes, mitigating, said that the offences were committed while Salihovic was trying to evade the police. He was driving at an inappropriate speed for the conditions and the car flipped.
“He has never been in trouble before,” said Miss Holmes. “He takes full responsibility for his actions. He has shown genuine remorse and has positive prospects for the future.”
Salihovic had previously been a semi-professional boxer and regularly trained at St Paul’s boxing gym, Hull. “He has had to put his boxing ambitions on hold at the moment,” said Miss Holmes. He worked as a labourer on student accommodation refurbishment.
Salihovic was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work. He was banned from driving for one year and he must pass an extended driving test before he can drive legally again.