Crash driver broke boy's legs fleeing police
Northumbria PoliceA banned driver who broke the legs of a 15-year-old boy when he crashed while fleeing from police has been jailed for two years and seven months.
Nathan Kelly, 22 and from South Shields, smashed a BMW into a wall in Newcastle with debris striking the boy who was walking home from school, the city's crown court heard.
The victim said he was "lucky to be alive" but had been left with mental and physical damage.
Kelly, who was a disqualified driver after previously driving under the influence of drugs, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Officers tried to stop a BMW being driven by Kelly on Scotswood Road at about 19:00 GMT on 28 November 2024 as it appeared to be stolen and being driven with cloned registration plates, prosecutor Claire Anderson said.
Kelly reversed into one police car and managed to drive off, reaching speeds of 45mph on 20mph residential streets.
He drove on the wrong side of the road before he crashed into a wall on Elswick Road, the court heard.
When officers caught up, the car was "perpendicular" and Kelly had fled on foot, the court heard.
'No regard'
A 15-year-old boy was struck by debris from the car which broke one ankle and a bone in his other leg, the court heard.
In a statement read to the court, the boy said the driver of the car that "almost killed" him had shown him "no regard" and thought only to save himself.
The injury had impacted his schooling, the boy said, while he had also been left in pain and discomfort.
Doctors had warned him he could be susceptible to future issues, such as infections or arthritis, because of his injuries, the court heard.
Kelly, a trainee roofer, had been banned from driving for 16 months in 2023 for driving under the influence of drugs, the court heard.
As well as being jailed, he was also disqualified for a further eight years and three months.
