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A dangerous driver was jailed for nearly four years after causing a serious collision which left a mother and her child with serious injuries and killed an unborn child.

Stuart Wells, of Terrace View, Sherborne, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today (Friday, January 25) after he pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and another count of dangerous driving.

Wells admitted causing a collision on the B3151 near Somerton on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 which left a 32-year-old woman and her daughter, aged two at the time, with life-changing injuries.

Mr Wells, driving a blue Ford Fiesta, left the M5 via junction 23 for Bridgwater, drove onto the A39 through Street, before turning onto the B3151.

Mr Sherlock, prosecuting, told the court that a number of witnesses spotted that Mr Wells had on a number of occasions crossed the white dividing line and "drifted over to the wrong side of the road".

One motorist driving in front of Mr Wells between Somerton and Street noted his "aggressive" driving, namely tailgating and "pushing her to go faster".

Meanwhile, the family, who Somerset Live is not identifying, were travelling in convoy on the B3151 after picking up their new car.

The court heard Wells' Ford Fiesta collided with the side of the husband's Peugeot 307 travelling in the opposite direction on a straight section of road.

This caused the vehicle to spin out of control, colliding with a large hedge.

The Ford Fiesta then collided head-on with a Seat Ibiza driven by the mother, containing her daughter.

The collision was so serious that the force of the impact "lifted both cars into the air".

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A third vehicle, a Volkswagen Polo, then collided at slow speed with the Seat Ibiza.

The mother, who was 26 weeks pregnant, was freed from her vehicle by emergency services and rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

On arrival at hospital, her unborn child had no heartbeat and was pronounced dead.

She underwent an emergency c-section.

Meanwhile her daughter, who was nearly three years old at the time, was left with spinal cord damage, broke her neck and was placed in a medically induced coma at Bristol Children's Hospital.

After intensive rehabilitation for seven weeks, she regained use of her limbs and has since made a full recovery, despite severe scarring.

(Image: Google)

In a statement, the mother said: "The aftermath of the collision was terrifying, my daughter was screaming out in pain and calling for help which I was unable to give as I was trapped and could not move to help her.

"This was the start of every parent's worst nightmare. I was 26 weeks pregnant at the time and was so concerned about both of my children.

"My heart was torn to pieces when we were informed that my baby girl no longer showed signs of life.

"It's heart-breaking that no prosecution can be brought for the loss of her life...we hope that consideration is made for changes to this law going forward."

"It was a day that tore our lives apart.

"It is one of the things a parent should never have to go through."

The mother spoke of her heartbreak and how she was unable to "reach out and cuddle her child" in hospital.

Driver claimed sneezing caused him to lose concentration

(Image: Getty)

Mr Wells, who suffered minor injures, was later interviewed by the police and blamed a sneeze for why he veered into another vehicle.

Tests conducted on Mr Wells showed was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mobile phone data showed that he had not used his smartphone during the journey.

Defending Mr Wells, Patrick Mason, said he regretted the way he drove.

"His reputation, self respect, everything that comes together (with that) has gone and he obviously has to deal with the shock of what he's done."

He noted the 29-year-old was tired after a long day at work.

"There is no question he was driving rather close", he said.

"It is suggestive he was a man in a fatigued state. He had to work in a fatigued state."

"He wasn't going largely over the speed limit. The fact he hit one vehicle and struck the other one, it shows he lost concentration due to fatigue."

Judge Ticehurst questioned the 29-year-old defendant's driving after hearing a statements about his dangerous driving.

"The driver behind noticed your vehicle had drifted across the road on at least two occasions", he said.

"It is impossible this aspect of this dangerous dangerous was due to fatigue.

"Whatever the cause, there was a significant period you drove dangerously and it was not a isolated occurrence."

He noted that the now three-year-old girl had suffered "horrific and life-changing injures" and the considerable distress to the parents following the loss of their unborn daughter.

Judge Ticehurst recalled how he challenged the 29-year-old defendant's claim that sneezing had caused him to lose concentration at the plea hearing.

"You pleaded on December 3 but you did so on the basis you had sneezed.

"When I challenged you on this, you wisely abandoned this basis but you did not fully admit your guilt which has caused some difficulties to the family.

Judge Ticehurst sentenced Wells to three years and seven months in prison. He was disqualified from driving for five years and a £185 victim surcharge was imposed.

Wells was pale in the face as he left the dock.

After delivering his sentence, he turned to the family and commented "the resilience of children is incredible" after hearing of the three-year-old girl's recovery.

He remarked: "I have no doubt she will bounce back and she will wear the scars around her head as a halo."

(Image: Getty)

Investigating officer PC Owen Davies, from the Road Policing Unit, said: "They were driving home in convoy when Wells, driving dangerously, drifted onto their side of the road and collided with both of their vehicles.

"The resulting injuries sustained by the mother and their daughter have had a profound effect on their lives while the loss of their unborn baby has been truly devastating for the family.

"Their injuries and loss will continue to have implications for the rest of their lives."

He added: "I'm sure Wells did not set out that day to cause a horrific collision but this case goes to show that when you are driving a vehicle on a public road, concentration and alertness are paramount for your own safety as well as other road users.

"Wells will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

"This case sends out a strong message that motorists who drive dangerously on the roads will find themselves facing significant consequences.”

Got a story to share? Email me at michael.taylor@reachplc.com or call 01935 709742.

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