‘He destroyed our lives’

The family of a 'beautiful and talented schoolgirl left unable think, walk or talk' after a horrific motorway crash have blasted the crash driver's short jail sentence. Speaking about their devastation for the first time, they said the lorry driver who smashed into the back of their broken down car at 55mph is 'responsible for destroying our lives.' Trucker Dominic Nicholls, 51, was jailed for just two-and-a-half-years after his 40-tonne HGV careered into the family's Nissan X-Trail on the hard shoulder, between junctions eight and nine of the M42, for Kingsbury, near Tamworth[1].

It left the youngster, who was eight at the time and is now aged 10, needing lifetime care from a horrific and catastrophic brain injury. Her mum and dad, who asked BirminghamLive not to reveal their identity, said their lives will never return to the way they were. Their lawyer also believes the family's suitcases and travel bags in the boot of the car may have prevented the tragedy from being worse having cushioned some of the crash impact from behind.

The couple, who run a convenience store in Stafford[3], had been driving home after flying into Heathrow from a family holiday in Sri Lanka in April last year. Their car pulled over to investigate a light that illuminated on the dashboard before Nicholls' lorry crashed into them less than 60-seconds later. There was no sign that Nicholls, from Hadleigh, Suffolk, tried to brake or avoid the car and he has never explained what happened, Warwickshire[4] Police said.

The parents and the girl's brother were also hurt in the collision. But it was the young girl, who dreamt of one day becoming a doctor, left in a life-changing state. In a statement released to BirminghamLive, the girl's parents said: "The family has been left devastated by this accident.

Our lives will never return to the way we were.

"Our beautiful and talented daughter has suffered from horrific catastrophic injuries and will require significant support and care for the rest of her life. "We are disappointed that the driver responsible was only sentenced for two and a half years by the judge as he was responsible for destroying our lives. We would like to thank everyone who has given support to us especially my solicitors, our doctors, investigating police officers and the off duty police officer who assisted the family at the scene of the accident.

We now wish to move on and to concentrate in caring for our daughter." Nicholls admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was banned from driving for seven years at Warwick Crown Court on October 19. But many posted online that the sentence was lenient, with one stating: "You get more jail for tax evasion."

Abid Hussain, from Step Legal Solicitors[5], who represented the family, added: "This trauma has changed their world. Their little girl has a devastating and catastrophic brain injury. She will now all her life be wheelchair-bound in a semi-vegetative state."

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References

1. ^ Tamworth (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ 'You get more jail for tax evasion' - Fury over trucker's jail term after girl left unable to 'think, walk or talk' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ Stafford (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Warwickshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
5. ^ Step Legal Solicitors (www.steplegal.co.uk)
6. ^ Birmingham News (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
7. ^ Email Updates (www.birminghammail.co.uk)