http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/t ... _wheel.php
Northern Echo wrote:
Bus stop crash youth fell asleep at wheel
A TEENAGER who drove a pick-up truck into a bus shelter and seriously injured a 94-year-old woman was asleep at the wheel, a court was told yesterday.
Derek Patrick Matthew Stephenson, who turned 18 yesterday, woke up after hitting the bus shelter in Hundens Lane, Darlington, then reversed and sped off.
He had fallen asleep, along with his two passengers, after the three had been driving all night.
Elsie Bainbridge's left pelvis was fractured in two places, her left leg was fractured in six places, and her left ankle was broken.
Mrs Bainbridge has still not recovered enough to make a victim impact statement, but her daughter said the crash had a "devastating impact" on her mother's life.
Terence Coultas, 62, who had also been waiting at the shelter, suffered bruising and neck pain in the crash.
Darlington Youth Court heard that Stephenson, of Harris Street, in the town, crashed the silver pick-up truck at 9.10am on Saturday, June 2.
Bill Brabban, prosecuting, said the victims described the truck as being out of control before it hit the shelter. Stephenson admitted to police he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Stephenson - who had a full licence - had been driving around the town with the two passengers all night, stopping only for two or three hours to sleep in a lay-by.
Stephenson, who had no previous convictions, cautions, or warnings, admitted dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop at an accident. He handed himself in to police.
Julian Gaskin, mitigating, said pleading guilty to failing to stop was on a limited basis, arguing his client did not realise there were people in the shelter.
Mr Brabban said: "It was 9.10am, it was broad daylight, the bus stop is built from clear perspex,"
A further hearing into the facts of the case and a review was fixed for Friday, August 3. Stephenson, released on unconditional bail, was given an interim driving ban.
* A 16-year-old from Darlington, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance.
He was given a nine-month referral order, a 12-month driving ban, and ordered to pay £60 costs.
It seems rather derisory that the person who stole this van gets off lightly though. But the older kid did not have to drive it either.
Courts just are not handing out the right messages. I'll let you know what happens per the "review."
Grrr!
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