Daniel Westbrook, 59, jailed for over two years after causing serious crash in Pond Hall Road, Hadleigh, in 2022 which left motorcyclist paralysed
A ‘selfish and dangerous’ driver who caused a crash which left a motorcyclist paralysed and wheelchair-bound for life has been jailed for over two years.
Daniel Westbrook, 59, formerly of Monks Eleigh, crashed head on into the motorcyclist in Pond Hall Road, Hadleigh, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 after he tried to overtake multiple vehicles while approaching a bend.
The impact catapulted the 41-year-old rider into the air before he landed on his back and he immediately lost the feeling in his legs.
The motorcyclist, who had only become engaged to his fiancée one month before the crash, is now a wheelchair user for life as his spinal cord injury was so severe that he will not regain any function in his legs.
Detective Constable Kelly Dale, of the serious collision investigation unit, said: “In his words, ‘everything was ruined in a split second’ as a result of Westbrook’s mindless decision.
“The impact is not just a physical one, but has also had a psychological affect and financial ramifications with the loss of his job.”
Westbrook was driving a red Volkswagen Caddy van towards the town centre when he decided to pull out and overtake three to four cars and two cyclists while approaching a right-hand bend.
The motorcyclist was traveling in the opposite direction towards Hintlesham when Westbrook’s van came towards him on his side of the road.
He suffered multiple injuries including fractures to his vertebrae, fractured ribs, collapsed lungs and remained in various hospitals for the next 10 months.
Westbrook was arrested at the scene having told other members of the public that he wanted to get home faster and that he drives too fast.
He appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, February 6 where he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Westbrook pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has also been disqualified from driving for six years and four months and will be required to take an extended retest.
DC Dale added: “Daniel Westbrook’s completely selfish and dangerous actions on that day have had a devastating impact on the victim and his loved ones.
“He has changed forever the life of an active man who enjoyed participating in numerous activities and travelled extensively.
“I hope the sentence handed to Daniel Westbrook will allow him the time to reflect on his reckless actions, though it is nothing compared to the life-limiting sentence he has inflicted on the victim.
“To make such a dangerous driving manoeuvre on a winding country road is incomprehensible and all just because he wanted to get home a few minutes quicker.”
