Surgeons told the van driver he would ‘never be the same again’
Riley Harris admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving(Image: Hull Live)
A speeding young driver was on the wrong side of the road when his Mini Cooper car suddenly crashed straight into an oncoming van in a horrific head-on collision on a bend. The other driver had “absolutely no opportunity to take avoiding action” and he was left with “horrendous” injuries that ruined his life.
He suffered the most “excruciating pain” of his life and he was forced to give up his much-loved long-term hobby of riding his trials bike, Hull Crown Court heard. Riley Harris, 22, of Greenfield Road, Bridlington, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Beeford on October 9, 2023.
Maya Hanson, prosecuting, said that a van driver was travelling north behind a lorry on the A165 between Brandesburton and Beeford, north of Beverley, when he headed towards a left-hand bend at 6.04am. It was dark, the roads were damp after earlier rain and there was spray-back because of water on the road.
“The next thing that he can remember is being faced with two headlights directly in front of him and there being a big bang,” said Miss Hanson. Harris, driving a red Mini Cooper on his way to work, had overtaken a car and a truck. He was “going too fast” – and was on the wrong side of the road – when his car crashed head-on into the van.
“The speed was highly inappropriate for the prevailing road and weather conditions,” said Miss Hanson. “There was a disregard of the dangers to others. There was overtaking.”
The van driver was trapped inside his vehicle but he was cut out and taken to Hull Royal Infirmary. He suffered serious injuries, including two fractures to his left wrist, a fractured lower right thigh bone, fractured pelvis, two fractured ribs, fractures to his spine, open wounds on his body and bleeding in his abdomen.
He needed surgery on two separate occasions in the following weeks and a number of follow-up appointments. He later had further operations.
The van driver said that he was in Hull Royal Infirmary’s trauma ward for two weeks and he suffered the most excruciating pain of his life. He had to wear a neck collar as a precaution, meaning that he could not move his head.
It was “nothing short of horrendous” and the damage to his right leg had been the “most devastating”. Surgeons had told him that he would “never be the same again” and he would never have full use of that leg again.
The man had previously been an “incredibly active person” and a competitive trials bike rider. “I had to sell my trials bike,” he said.
His injuries had “fundamentally compromised” how he enjoyed his life. He suffered broken sleep as well as flashbacks and nightmares.
Driving was now a “source of immense anxiety” for him. “I am terrified of driving on dark roads,” he said. “Even being a passenger now causes me distress.
“I am living in a body that is permanently damaged.” His iPad and iPhone were destroyed in the crash and there had been other financial costs to him.
Harris, a trainee civil engineer, had not had the Mini long. He had been driving for about two years before the incident and he had no penalty points on his licence at the time. He had no previous convictions.
Stephen Robinson, mitigating, said that it was a serious offence. “It arose out of some very foolish and dangerous driving that day,” said Mr Robinson.
“He was driving too quickly at points. He took that very foolish and dangerous risk of overtaking in an inappropriate location, perhaps particularly bearing in mind the conditions at the time.
“It’s a disregard of the dangers to others. There is clearly excessive speed. It was when he was on the wrong side of the road that the accident happened.
“The defendant has limited recollection of the accident. That’s genuine. He didn’t challenge any aspects of the case. There are high levels of remorse here.
“The defendant is very sorry for this behaviour. He would like to say that he is very and bitterly sorry for this. He has driven since and he hasn’t had any points on his licence since.
“He hasn’t committed any offences since, either driving or otherwise. The defendant is now aware of the consequences of driving badly and he is unlikely to do so again.”
Recorder Dan Pawson-Pounds KC told Harris: “It’s clear that you were driving far too fast on the wrong side of the road and hit the vehicle head-on. Your vehicle was squarely in the wrong lane.
“You conducted a highly dangerous manoeuvre by going round a corner on the wrong side of the road. Your speed was significantly in excess of the speed limit and was inappropriate for the conditions.”
Recorder Pawson-Pounds said of the other driver: “He had absolutely no opportunity to take any avoiding action because of your driving. The harm you have caused is very serious.
“You caused grievous injuries to him, which will affect his life going forward. He has not only physical injuries but deep psychological injuries as a result of your actions. His leg is not fully healed.”
Harris was given a 20-month suspended prison sentence, 250 hours’ unpaid work and a six-month 8.30pm to 5.30am curfew. He was banned from driving for two years and he will have to pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.
He was ordered to pay £150 costs and a £187 victims’ surcharge. The other driver was in court but, after the hearing, he declined to comment.
To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.