Elderly couple’s lives ruined following horror smash caused during police chase
An uninsured, disqualified driver caused a high-speed smash during a police[1] chase, which left an elderly couple in hospital. Nottingham Crown Court heard how the victims used to be "active and full of life" and now rarely go out due to the trauma they have suffered at the hands of Jack Carlisle. In impact statements read out at the 34-year-old's sentencing hearing, they told how she is now "terrified" to even get in a car while their happy marriage of many tears has suffered due to both being diagnosed with post-traumatic dress disorder.
Now the heavily-convicted driver who caused the crash, and who also tested positive for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside, is serving a nearly three-year prison term. Jailing him for two years and 10 months, Recorder Stuart Sprawson said: "She used to be an outgoing and social person who enjoyed going to cafes, restaurants and seeing family and friends but now both of them feel largely isolated in their home. Both have been diagnosed with PTSD.
She suffered three broken ribs and still feels pain every day 10 months on. "She is terrified to even get in a car and he, remarkably, considering the impact and force of the collision, only suffered cuts and bruises. Her life has changed from one of fulfilment and joy to one of injury and pain with ongoing anxiety and trauma".
Will Bennett, prosecuting, said the collision took place on the A617 Marr Road, between Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield[2], on the afternoon of February 19, this year. A Volkswagen Passat on false plates was spotted by the police and Carlisle, who was behind the wheel with a wanted man in the passenger seat, sped off. The chase took them on to the A617 via a number of other roads including Sherwood Way South and Cauldwell Road, which becomes a cycle path.
Recorder Sprawson said: "You took many steps to avoid being caught and your driving was reckless from beginning to end. You drive on the wrong side of the road into the patch of oncoming traffic, you jumped red lights and far exceeded the speed limits. "You drove on to a cycle path and then came out of that and struck a car which went into the path of a Dacia being driven by the two (primary) victims.
That car rolled three times before coming to a stop and the couple were taken to hospital. "Both cars you hit were written off. You were arrested and gave a positive drug test and then later refused to provide a further sample for analysis."
Carlisle, of Pear Tree Drive, Shirebrook, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury through dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and failing to provide a sample for analysis. He has a number of previous convictions including dangerous driving and other motoring matters. Kevin Waddingham, mitigating, said on the day of the offending his client was put under pressure by the wanted man in the passenger seat to get away from the police.
As well as the jail sentence, the judge also disqualified Carlisle from driving for eight years and five months.