In video: 'Dangerous' driver hits RAC man Published duration 28 January 2015

media caption Video released by West Midlands Police shows Terence Poolman, 69, hitting the roadside mechanic

A "dangerous" lorry driver who swerved across a motorway and hit an RAC man has been jailed for eight months.

Video released by West Midlands Police shows Terence Poolman, 69, hitting the roadside mechanic and breaking his back in two places, before driving off.

Poolman, of Beech Drive, Shifnal, in Shropshire, admitted three charges, including causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was also banned from driving for two years at Birmingham Crown Court.

West Midlands Police said the footage was captured on the M6, between junctions six and seven, on 28 April.

'Lucky to be alive'

image copyright West Midlands Police image caption Poolman, of Beech Drive, Shifnal, in Shropshire, admitted three charges, including causing serious injury by dangerous driving

CCTV showed Poolman's lorry swerving across the inside lane and the hard shoulder, before ploughing into the 40-year-old mechanic, who was busy working on a vehicle.

When Poolman drove off, another lorry driver saw the worker in pain at the side of the northbound carriageway and pulled over to take care of him.

Although the CCTV footage had not picked up Poolman's registration number, another driver had made a note of it.

Poolman was jailed on 23 January.

PC David Gaunt said: "The recovery driver is extremely lucky to be alive and the consequences of Poolman's complete lack of attention that day could have been a lot worse.

"The victim remains in a lot of pain and has been unable to work since the crash.

"The impact of his injuries will stay with him for the rest of his life and he worries about what kind of work he will be able to do in the future."