Drug driver who hit cyclist in Warrington is jailed

Drug driver jailed following serious collision in Warrington

A drug driver who left a man with life-changing injuries following a collision in Warrington has been jailed.

Craig Nightingale appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 20 May where he was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison.

The 43-year-old of Kingsdown Road, Abram, had earlier pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of drug driving and possession of a knife in a public place.

During the hearing, the court heard how at 6.18am on Thursday 21 May 2020 a blue/grey BMW 118, being driven by Nightingale, collided with a wall at McColls Store on Lovely Lane, Warrington.

Nightingale failed to stop and made off from the scene.

Just 15 minutes later, at 6.33am, he was involved in a second collision, this time with a pedal cyclist on Winwick Road, near to the junction of Cromwell Road.

Witnesses at the scene reported that the cyclist was highly visible, wearing a high-vis vest and a blue backpack.

Despite that, Nightingale failed to react to the cyclist and hit him from behind while travelling at approximately 40mph.

The impact of the collision caused the cyclist, a 45-year-old local man, to be thrown into the air and left him fighting for his life in hospital.

He sustained a number of injuries including internal bleeding, a broken leg, broken ankle and a fractured neck.

Nightingale was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving after a failing a roadside test. Officers also discovered a knife in his car.

A blood test later revealed that he was under the influence of cocaine and benzoylecgonine at the time of the collision.

Nightingale was subsequently charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of drug driving, and possession of a knife in a public place.

Following the sentencing Police Constable Gary Nicholls, who led the investigation, said: “This case demonstrates the life-long repercussions of driving under the influence of illegal drugs.

“On the morning of the collision Nightingale took the decision to drive, despite the fact that he was under the influence of cocaine.

“As a result of that decision, a totally innocent man sustained life-changing injuries and Nightingale is now behind bars.

“While the victim is slowly starting to recover from his physical injuries, this incident will impact him for the rest of his life.

“I hope that the conclusion of the case and the sentence handed to Nightingale will give him some closure and allow him to move forward with his life knowing justice has been served.”

In addition to his prison sentence Nightingale was also banned from driving for seven years and 11 months.