Driver who left friend in coma is jailed
A driver has been jailed after critically injuring his close friend in a crash.
Josh Murdon, 21, was speeding and under the influence of drugs between Hucknall and Linby in Nottinghamshire on 20 April 2023 when he struck a kerb and flipped his car into a field.
His passenger sustained 20 broken bones, was left in a coma and spent several weeks in hospital.
At Nottingham Crown Court, Murdon, of Chapel Lane, Ravenshead, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and on Tuesday was jailed for two years and two months.
He was also disqualified from driving for four years and three months.
'Lifelong injuries'
Police said Murdon sustained only minor injuries, with tests showing he was over the legal drug-drive limit for cannabis at the time of the collision.
He refused to comment when interviewed by police a few weeks after the crash but told paramedics on the way to hospital he had been driving at about 70mph in a 50mph area when he hit the kerb.
He also told them his phone had been ringing and the collision happened as he looked down at the phone with the intention of declining the call, officers said.
The passenger eventually gave a statement and said Murdon repeatedly broke the speed limit during the car journey, including driving at over 100mph along the A611 Annesley Road bypass moments before the crash.
Following sentencing, PC Haddon Smith said: "Murdon inflicted life-changing and lifelong injuries on his friend and relative.
"When questioned in two police interviews, Murdon did not have the courage to accept responsibility for his actions – something that upset his victim considerably."
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