Man sentenced following serious fail to stop collision in Middlewich

A dangerous driver who fled the scene of a serious collision in Middlewich has been sentenced.

Bill Connors appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 29 January 2025, where he was sentenced to 24 months in prison suspended for 24 months.

The 20-year-old, of Gables Close, Old Damson Lane, Solihull, had earlier pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop following a collision.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and will be required to undertake an extended test.

The court heard how shortly after 6.30pm on Monday 4 September 2023, police were called to reports of a collision on Booth Lane, Middlewich.

Officers attended and found there had been a collision between a light blue and white Volkswagen Transporter and a black BMW 118D, near to the junction of Tetton Lane.

The driver of the transporter van, a 58-year-old local man, suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision.

Connors, who was driving the BMW, was uninjured. But rather than stop and call for help to assist the other driver, he instead chose to contact his friend who collected him, and the pair fled the scene.

Thankfully, other members of the public were in the area and helped the victim while they awaited the arrival of the emergency services. The victim was subsequently taken hospital via air ambulance with life-changing injuries.

Following the collision, an investigation was launched by officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Team who gathered a catalogue of evidence identifying Connors as the offender.

This included CCTV footage of Connors leaving a nearby hotel and getting into the BMW shortly before the collision. A witness also recorded mobile footage at the scene which showed a man wearing the same distinctive clothing as Connors.

A manhunt was launched for Connors, who actively evaded officers. But despite his efforts, he was subsequently arrested on Wednesday 13 September, when he was found hiding underneath a bed in a caravan in Middlewich.

Following his sentencing, Detective Sergeant Simon Degg, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

“When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you’re in control of a powerful machine, easily capable of causing serious injury or even death.

“Connors completely ignored this, not abiding by the rules of the road, or considering the safety of others, ultimately causing a serious collision which left a man with life-changing injuries.

“Not only that, but he deliberately chose to flee the scene and leave the victim behind, not even having the decency to call for help. Instead, he was too busy thinking about himself.

“As a result of his selfish actions the victim has suffered tremendously, both psychologically and physically, and will never fully recover from his injuries.”