Jail for drink-driver who struck three pedestrians

A DRIVER was so drunk that he fell over outside a pub and then struck three pedestrians with his van in Sonning.

Adam Garrett was jailed for four years at Reading Crown Court and disqualified from driving for 12 years after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court heard how on May 5 last year Garrett was caught on CCTV drinking in a pub and then stumbling to his white Ford Transit Connect van.

At about 10.55pm he was driving along the B478 in Sonning when he hit three people outside the French Horn restaurant, Chris Redfern, 52, his wife Cristina Di Carlo, 54, and Jeremy Rowson, 63.

Garrett failed to stop but police officers quickly identified the vehicle and arrested Garrett later that night. CCTV footage obtained by Thames Valley Police showed Garrett swerving and nearly colliding with another vehicle before the collision

When police stopped his van, it was clear he was drunk and an officer asked him: “What have you taken?” and “You’ve got no clue what you’ve done, do you?”

Garrett, 26, of Loddon Bridge Road, Wokingham, had pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Reading Magistrates’ Court on February 6.

He also admitted one count each of dangerous driving, careless driving, driving while using his mobile phone, failing to stop following a road traffic collision, failing to nominate a driver and driving having taken alcohol above a prescribed limit.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and will have to pass an extended re-test before regaining his licence. Ms Di Carlo sustained a serious head injury and remained in hospital for more than eight months while both men suffered serious injuries.

Mr Redfern said the incident had altered their lives forever.

He said: “The last 11 months have been a living nightmare for my whole family with so many distressing and upsetting events.

“My wife had to spend over eight months in hospital and now faces a long rehab journey ahead of her. It has been extremely distressing to see the pain and despair caused to all my family.

“While I cannot recall much of the collision, it has had a massive impact on all of us, including our two teenage children, and I have no doubt it has altered our lives forever. I often wish I hadn’t gone out for dinner that evening. The inconsiderate and dangerous ‘hit and run’ actions of a drunken driver have caused unfathomable pain, injury and psychological damage in so many ways and to so many lives that cannot be undone.”

Mr Rowson said: “I sustained significant orthopaedic injuries resulting in multiple surgical operations over several months, which are still ongoing.

“The irresponsible driving of this man affected our whole family and we hope that the sentence will reflect the severity of his actions.

“He should reflect on the damage he has caused and the impact his reckless behaviour has had on our lives.”

Sgt Edward Crofts, the investigating officer, said: “I would like pay tribute to the victims and members of the public who gave immediate first aid at the scene and thank them for their support throughout the investigation.”