Darren Snow Secures Suspended Sentence in Serious Driving Case
Careless Driving Plea Agreed in Sensitive Case Involving Catastrophic Injury
Darren Snow, instructed by Zubair Ahmed of Ashmans Solicitors, represented the Defendant throughout the proceedings, plea and sentence hearings in a dangerous driving causing serious injury case. The case concerned a road accident in Hollybush Hill, right by Snaresbrook Crown Court, on the evening of 20 June 2023. A cyclist was hit by the Defendant driving a works lorry and the victim was thrown off their cycle. They sustained catastrophic brain and physical injuries. An air ambulance attended the scene.
At the time of sentence, nearly three years later, the victim remained in a specialist hospital unit in a coma with 24/7 care needs. Following negotiation with the CPS and the police officer leading the investigation, a plea to the lesser charge of careless driving causing serious injury was agreed. The Defendant was sentenced on that basis with an agreed basis of plea.
At sentence, the victim’s family read out victim impact statements and the devastating impact upon them was clear. Her Honour Judge English, who had overseen the case throughout, imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years with 280 hours unpaid work. The Defendant was also disqualified from driving for two years and must complete an extended driving test before he can regain his licence.
In passing sentence, the Judge recognised that there are no winners in these types of cases, and the impact upon the family of the victim had been catastrophic. There was no order for costs or compensation as the Defendant’s employers’ motor insurers were handling a substantial civil claim for damages. Liability had been conceded early on.
This was a very sensitive case for all involved. The Defendant took full responsibility for his actions and read out a letter in court explaining his regret. Following the hearing, with the support and assistance of the police officer overseeing the investigation, Darren and the Defendant met with family members of the victim after the hearing to reinforce the Defendant’s remorse and deep regret for what had happened.
Darren Snow has many years’ experience working on serious motoring cases involving death and serious injury. He also has extensive experience working with underlying motor insurers, reflecting his previous career in the insurance industry before joining the Bar.
