The driver, who failed a sight test and admitted forgetting to wear his glasses, was convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving
Police-issue still from CCTV moments before a woman cycling along Holderness Road, in Hull, was knocked from her bike by dangerous driver Uchenna Agunenye(Image: Humberside Police)
A reckless driver left a cyclist “lucky to be alive” when his car careered into her bike in east Hull after he forgot to wear his glasses. The woman was riding along Holderness Road on July 22 last year when, close to the junction with Barnsley Street, a silver Citroën C4 driven by Uchenna Agunenye moved into the cycle lane.
The cyclist was knocked from her bike and into railings at the side of the road. Police officers and members of the public immediately ran to assist the woman while further emergency services arrived.
She was taken to hospital for treatment to a broken leg, heel and toes. She also suffered lacerations and a fracture to her elbow and was left needing surgery.
Agunenye, 48, was breathalysed and provided a drugs wipe at the scene and both were negative. However, a roadside eyesight test was conducted which he failed. Further lines of enquiry were conducted at the scene and it was identified that the conditions of his driving licence including a requirement to wear glasses and he was arrested.
Agunenye was interviewed by officers from Humberside Police ’s roads policing team in connection with the incident and he admitted forgetting to wear his glasses and that this is what caused him to collide with the cyclist.
This week, Agunenye, of Jalland Street, Hull, was sentenced at Hull Crown Court for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was handed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was disqualified from driving for two years. He must pass an extended test to legally drive again.
Agunenye was also ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work and must pay the victim £187.
PS Matt Tuton, of Humberside Police, said: “The actions of Agunenye that day were careless and reckless and whilst the cyclist is lucky to be alive, the physical and psychological impact this collision will continue to have on her for the rest of her life are unimaginable.
“If your eyesight has deteriorated, it is important to get your eyes checked. Being able to see is fundamental to safe driving. Any time you behind the wheel of a vehicle, you are responsible to ensure that you are fit to drive for not only the safety of yourself and any passengers but also to members of the public.
“We continue to encourage members of the public to report dangerous or reckless driving when it is safe to do so. You can also submit video evidence of suspected driving offences through Operation Snap, a secure online portal that allows footage from dashcams, mobile phones, or helmet cameras to be reviewed by trained officers.
“Every submission is assessed, and where offences are identified, appropriate action is taken. We would encourage anyone who witnesses poor driving behaviour to make use of this tool.
“Through high-visibility policing, education, and targeted enforcement, we are working across our force area to encourage better decision-making on the roads, reminding all drivers and riders that one second of distraction, one reckless choice, can take a life. Our message is simple; drive safe, every time.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.