Road smash almost cost Newmarket's Adrian his life

A Newmarket man, who sustained horrific injuries when his car was hit by a speeding driver, has spoken for the first time about the accident which almost cost him his life.

Twenty-six-year-old Adrian Pascu, of Valley Way, was on his way to London early on January 31 this year when, as he pulled out of Hamilton Road, his Ford Fiesta was hit by a BMW driven by 22-year-old Daniel Muscutt, of Six Mile Bottom. Last week Muscutt, who pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention while travelling at 72mph in a 40 mph zone, was fined £1,460 by magistrates at Ipswich and had his licence endorsed with five points.

Adrian, who needed emergency treatment and was in an induced coma for 19 days in Addenbrooke’s Hospital’s neurosciences critical care unit, has talked about the effect the crash has had on his life as part of Road Victim Month in a bid to help raise road safety awareness.

“Six months later I am still struggling to come to terms with my accident and the life-changing effect it has had on me,” he said.

“I am still taking medication to help with my physical injuries and I find myself in pain often. Even just walking or sitting at times can be almost unbearable due to the abdominal injuries, meaning I cannot use my stomach muscles.

“I also suffer from flashbacks and nightmares and these are really hard to overcome and I become very upset. My anxiety has definitely worsened over time, but I recognise this and I am hopeful that it is another thing I will be able to overcome,.

“I hope my experience will help raise awareness of the importance of safety on the road. It is so important that drivers pay proper attention behind the wheel, because the consequences can be devastatingly life changing.”

Adrian’s injuries included a fractured pelvis, ribs and leg, a collapsed lung and lacerated spleen. He needed emergency treatment to repair his diaphragm and liver. He was not discharged from hospital until March 6.

At the time of the accident he was on a week-long probationary period with a gardening company which, due to the accident, he was not able to complete.

He is now taking legal action so he can access specialist rehabilitation and treatment.

His lawyer, Asiya Yousaf, of Irwin Mitchell in Cambridge, said: “This is an incredibly sad example of the consequence of careless driving. Unfortunately the careless actions of a driver have caused immense pain for some and left a young man with serious life-changing injuries. His story highlights the need for other drivers to take not and be more responsible when on the road.”