AssetID: 55882865
Headline: Shocking moment drug driver hits car head-on leaving man with horrifying injuries
Caption: WORDS BYLINE: Chris March A man who was left with devastating injuries by a driver high on cocaine says his life is now a nightmare. Jason Nicholas, 53, suffered broken arms, legs and vertebrae when he was hit head-on by a van that had suddenly veered across the A32 into the path of his car. Dash cam footage from the van shows the shocking impact and aftermath, with the front of Jason’s vehicle smashed to smithereens. He was rushed to hospital by air ambulance and his partner Selena was warned that he was unlikely to survive the night. Doctors kept him in an induced coma for two-and-a-half weeks, during which time he had multiple strokes which left him with impaired cognitive function. He will need lifelong care, which has also stopped him returning to work as an aircraft fitter. The van’s driver Ben Talbot, 34, appeared at Winchester Crown Court in March to be sentenced for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug-driving. He was jailed for 32 months and, once released, will be disqualified from driving for another 46 months. Jason wanted the footage of the accident which destroyed his life to be released to warn of the dangers of drug driving. “I’m so, so angry, because his actions have changed my life forever,” he said. “I used to go on motorbike rides with my partner Selena, and I miss being able to do that. “I don’t understand how or why. Why did it have to be me? I’m so angry that he was a drug-driver. “It makes no sense why someone would do that. Now I have to live with what he’s done.” Selena said difficulties Jason now has in doing everyday tasks makes it “like having a giant, walking toddler”. His personality also changed, she added. “I do get very angry at what’s been taken away from us. And it’s not just for a short amount of time for recovery, it’s the rest of our lives.” Jason said: “I hope my story stops another person from going through the same nightmare.” Drug and drink-driving are one of the five most common factors in fatal collisions, according to police, Chief Inspector Emma Hart, of Hampshire’s road policing unit, said: “I would urge everyone to watch this video and listen to Jason bravely tell his story. “This is the end result of one person making a selfish decision to get behind the wheel after taking drugs. “It is life-changing. It is forever. Please don’t ever drive under the influence or you could ruin someone else’s life.”
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