A MAN who sustained "life changing injuries" in a head-on collision has forgiven the driver jailed who caused the crash.
At Craigavon Court today, Morgan Guy (20) was sentenced to four months in custody.
Judge Patrick Lynch QC also imposed a two year driving disqualification.
The judge said the reasons behind the crash were "inexplicable" but sentencing guidance was clear that without exceptional factors, dangerous drivers had to go to jail.
Guy, from Richmond Chase in Tandragee, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving on Northway in Portadown on December 20 2018.
Prosecuting counsel Ian Tannahill outlined how Guy had been driving his Toyota Hiace van, heading for the motorway with the victim heading in the other direction towards Portadown in his Lexus.
The lawyer said while other drivers have statements they believed the van was trying to execute an overtaking manoeuvre, there was also a suggestion that Guy misjudged the beginning of a filter lane for turning right but either way, the van ended up in the lane of oncoming traffic and caused a “substantial collision,” head on, with the victim.
The 61-year-old was cut out of his car and taken by Air Ambulance to the RVH where he spent almost three weeks in intensive care before being transferred to the Regional Brain Injury Assessment Unit.
The victim sustained a brain injury which impacted on his memory and cognitive skills as well as multiple fractures to his legs, wrists, ankles, sternum, pelvis and ribs in addition to a lacerated liver.
He now has to use two crutches to walk. His wife has given up her job to care for him.
Guy, who told police all he could remember about the crash was "an almighty bang" was also hurt, suffering a broken jaw.
Mr Tannahill said Guy had a clear record, had no alcohol in his system, was not speeding and was not using his mobile phone prior to the crash.
Defence counsel Conor Coulter said Guy was "truly sorry for causing those injuries and he offers his unreserved apology".
"He has struggled to make sense of all of this," said the lawyer, revealing Guy has since been diagnosed as suffering from PTSD.
He urged the judge not to jail the defendant but to allow him to continue his education and employment.
Mr Coulter said the crash "had numerous consequences for him and will continue to have for the rest of his life".
Judge Lynch said he looked for exceptional circumstances which would have saved Guy from jail but told him "unfortunately from your perspective, I find that there are none".