Legal News

A woman convicted and jailed for driving under the influence (DUI) and exceeding the speed limit is being sued by a man she hit and injured.

Kristina Long, 26, was driving near Manchester City Centre after attending a Christmas party in Bolton in December 2012 and crashed into 53-year-old David Robinson. Mr Robinson was hospitalised for a month following the road accident, in which he sustained multiple fractures to his spine, pelvis, leg and neck, as well as a brain haemorrhage.

Ms Long was found to have exceeded the 20mph speed limit in the area she was driving in – and was also found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit at the time of the road traffic accident.

Mr Robinson – a museum technician – was catapulted 80 feet into the air in the collision, which happened as he was crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing in Salford, the Daily Mail reports.

Ms Long was travelling at 30mph in the 20mph zone – Manchester Crown Court heard that a friend travelling in her car as a passenger had started to vomit as a result of alcohol intoxication at the time of the crash, which distracted Ms Long as she was driving.

After the collision – and although she was aware she had hit a pedestrian – Ms Long failed to stop and continued her journey into Manchester City Centre.

Mr Robinson was found lying in the road badly injured and a passing motorist called an ambulance. He was taken to Salford Hospital where he spent a month recovering from his injuries – which including two spinal fractures and two leg fractures which required surgery.

At the time of the crash Ms Long – a former beauty pageant winner – was training to be a lawyer.

Police arrested her two hours after the crash but she denied being responsible for the accident – and continued to deny liability for nearly a year.

In court, Ms Long entered a plea of guilty to dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop at the scene of a collision – and driving with excess alcohol.

Manchester Crown Court jailed her for 12 months. She was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Ms Long told the court that she “had no intention of driving” again.

Victims of road traffic accidents can claim compensation for their injuries and lawyers acting for Mr Robinson have announced that he is taking legal action against Ms Long for compensation.

Mr Robinson said that before the road accident, he used to enjoy swimming and running and walking his dog – but as a result of his injuries he had had to move back to his parents’ house and has not yet been able to return to an active lifestyle.

“My injuries meant I was in hospital for a long time and I’m still not able to return to my hobbies,” he said.

“I am pleased that justice has been done in this criminal case and hope that by speaking out about my injuries it highlights to others how serious drink driving can be.”

It is reported that Ms Long’s motor insurance company is negotiating a compensation settlement.

Duncan Lewis Road Traffic Accident Solicitors

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise victims injured in road traffic accidents (RTAs) how to make a no win no fee Road Traffic Accident Claim for compensation.

Drink-drug driving is a criminal offence and in accidents which result in injury, compensation can be awarded to victims of road accidents under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

It is also possible for victims seriously injured in RTAs as a result of the negligence of another road user to make a no win no fee claim for road traffic accident compensation.

For expert legal advice on making no win no fee RTA compensation claims contact Duncan Lewis road traffic accident solicitors on 020 7923 4020.