Driver jailed for running friend over ‘as a joke’ and leaving him paralysed
A ‘reckless’ BMW driver has been jailed after running over his friend in a ‘joke gone wrong’ – leaving him quadriplegic.
The victim was catapulted into the air after Taha Biston, 44, lost control and careered towards him as he crossed the road.
The 27-year-old has been left with all four limbs paralysed and no voluntary movement in his lower body.
He suffered life-changing spinal injuries requiring him to a move to a care home for round-the-clock support.
In a statement, he told how life would never be the same and how he has ‘zero hope’ for the future after the incident in Peterborough.
Biston had his own two children in the back of the car as he veered onto the wrong side of the road before hitting the man, who has not been named.
He claimed he drove at his friend ‘as a joke’ – but his brakes failed when he tried to stop.
But police found no contributory defects when the vehicle was seized and examined.
Biston stayed at the scene of the collision, on the junction of Russell Street and Gladstone Street, but left to take his children home before returning, when he was arrested.
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, said of his ordeal, on May 20: ‘He (Biston) said that he drove at me for a joke, but it’s no joke, I am the one who is here with no future.
‘I am a relatively young man at 27 but now my life will never be the same, there are so many dreams that I will not be able to accomplish.
‘I don’t want to ask for things from people for the rest of my life, I have zero hope.
‘Even now when I hear a bang on the door or any loud noise it reminds me of the collision and I feel scared.’
Biston, of Peterborough, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on April 9.
He was jailed for one year and 10 months on Friday and was also banned from the road for two years.
PC Dave Black, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit, described Biston’s driving as ‘reckless and completely irresponsible’.
PC Black added: ‘He lost control of his BMW and, as a result, his friend’s life will never be the same again.
‘The victim now requires 24/7 care for the rest of his life and his quality of life has been severely diminished.
‘I hope this case highlights how important it is for motorists to always treat driving seriously and with respect. Not doing so can end up seriously injuring someone or worse.’
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