They both suffered serious injuries, and their dog, who was in the car with them, also needed treatment
Dangerous driver Mohammed Ali(Image: Humberside Police)
A retired couple suffered “devastating” injuries after their car was suddenly hit head-on by a speeding vehicle hurtling towards them – and weaving in and out of traffic before the cocaine-addled driver lost control. The other car was being driven “erratically” and aggressively just before the “horrible” collision and it swung out onto the opposite side of the road before weaving back again.
The reckless driver “over-corrected” before losing control of the car and crashing into the oncoming vehicle, Hull Crown Court heard. Mohammed Ali, 45, of Hull, admitted two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and others of driving while over the limit for cocaine, possessing cannabis, having no insurance and driving with no driving licence on July 13.
Camille Morland, prosecuting, said that Ali was driving a black VW Golf eastbound in a 50mph area on the A1035 in the Hull Bridge area at Tickton, near Beverley, towards Leven at about 9.30am. He had earlier been seen weaving about and getting close to other vehicles in the Beverley northern bypass and nearby Constitution Hill areas.
Ali looked, at that point, as though he was getting something out of a glovebox. He was about 16 times the legal limit for cocaine. A man driving a car in the opposite direction saw Ali’s vehicle weaving about in an aggressive way.
Ali’s car swung out as though it had hit something and swung back into the line of traffic. The car “over-corrected” and started to weave. The oncoming car had to take avoiding action to prevent a collision.
Ali was doing between 60 and 90mph and his car continued to weave along the road before hitting head-on a blue Suzuki car behind the oncoming one. A retired couple, both 69, from Bridlington, were in that car. He was driving and she was the front-seat passenger. Their dog was also in the car.
The husband, a former lorry driver, suffered many fractures, including to his shoulder blade, collarbone, breastbone, ribs, pelvis, thigh bone, shinbone, toes and wrists. He needed a total knee reconstruction and he spent time in intensive care.
He now struggled to do everyday tasks and had to use a frame to walk. His daughter later said: “I believe this collision will affect him for the rest of his life.” The driver’s wife suffered broken ribs and other injuries. The dog was also badly injured and needed veterinary treatment.
Ali later told police during interview that he was not driving dangerously and he denied being affected by drugs. He had been banned from driving in 2007 for six months for driving while disqualified and having no insurance and test certificate.
He was jailed in 2014 for two years and four months for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and he had a conviction for disorderly behaviour in 2016. Ali was jailed in October 2023 for one year for possessing a blade.
Connor Stuart, mitigating, said that Ali accepted that he caused the collision and that the victims suffered devastating injuries. “He attempted an overtaking manoeuvre, after which he over-steered and began to fishtail,” said Mr Stuart.
Ali’s driving had been erratic before that. “It was serious but unintended dangerous driving,” said Mr Stuart. “He is deeply apologetic and understands that this was a horrible incident and he wants to do better.
“He has led a chaotic and unstable life, marked by periods of imprisonment.” Ali, a qualified chef, was homeless, unemployed and on benefits.
“He has lost his stable employment and lives in otherwise wretched conditions,” said Mr Stuart. “He has been free of illicit substances for more than six months.”
Judge Alexander Menary told Ali: “You were very significantly impaired at the time of this collision. Very serious injuries were caused to both of the motorists. There was here a persistent course of dangerous driving.
“You were weaving in and out of traffic. As a result of that weaving, you lost control of the vehicle and a collision occurred.” It was a “miracle ” that there were not more serious, perhaps even fatal, consequences.
Ali, who had been on bail, was jailed for six years and 11 months. He was banned from driving for 10 years and he will have to pass an extended retest before he can drive legally again.