Moment sleeping driver who was exhausted after music festival ploughs into pedestrian and left him fighting for his life: Man, 27, jailed

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

This is the shocking moment a driver ploughed into a commuter and put him in a coma after falling asleep at the wheel.
Abdelrahman Awadalla, 27, has been jailed after he dozed off and charged into project manager Martin Gartlan who was on his way to work at 7.30am in Victoria Road, Ealing, in August last year.
Awadalla had spent the weekend at the Boomtown Music festival near Winchester, Hampshire smoking and drinking booze, Southwark Crown Court heard.
It is said he was probably not under the influence but may have been sleep deprived when he was caught on CCTV accelerating towards Mr Gartlan.
Mr Gartlan was left fighting for his life and suffers with life changing injuries, needing daily care following the horror crash.
Awadalla can be seen zooming through the road out of nowhere as he hits the father who flies onto his bonnet - and injures another pedestrian along the way.
Steven Molloy, prosecuting, said: 'The defendant was parked in a stationary position for at least 30 minutes from 7.30am onwards on the morning of August 13.
'Victoria Road was a busy street at that time, with numerous vehicles and pedestrians crossing in front of the defendant's vehicle.
'Martin Gartlan was on his way to work and CCTV footage shows him emerging at the side of the defendant's vehicle. Mr Gartlan later walked alongside, paused at the curb, before crossing Victoria road.
'Four seconds later, the defendant's black BMW suddenly accelerated towards the victim, colliding with Mr Gartlan.
'Mr Gartlan was propelled onto the bonnet of the vehicle,' said Mr Molloy.
'The defendant made no attempt to stop or slow down, and continued to drive his vehicle until it collided with two lamp posts and a tree. Mr Gartlan ended up on the floor close to the tree.
'He had just bought a coffee and was walking when the car came out of nowhere.
'The defendant's airbags were deployed, and the front of his car was crumpled.
'The defendant got out and stared at the victim, without saying or doing anything. He approached Mr Gartlan, and put something underneath his head.
'But the defendant then returns to his vehicle, turned off his car alarm, collected his belongings, and left the scene.
'He walked away along Victoria Road, despite members of the public trying to stop him.'
CCTV footage played in court showed the horrific collision and members of the public rushing to help the victim.
An air ambulance attended and Mr Gartlan was rushed to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, when his heart suddenly stopped, the court heard.
Mr Gartlan was transferred to an intensive care unit and put on a ventilator.
'He suffered catastrophic injuries, including fractures to at least ten of his ribs, blood clots in his lungs, and a fracture to his right hip.
'After leaving hospital, Mr Gartlan was left in a wheelchair'.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr Gartlan said: 'I was placed in an induced coma for 10 days.
'I went through surgery, and it was only through the grace of God that I survived.
'During my time in hospital, my family were by my side. My daughter, who is a nurse, took weeks off work to help my recovery.
'I am unable to move around freely now, as I have blood clots in my lungs. I find it hard to sleep at night due to the pain and flashbacks.
'I have worked hard my whole life, and I can't understand why I couldn't just go to work safely that morning.
'Prior to this, I was a very active person. I played football with my work mates, and I often travelled abroad to meet up with friends.
'But now, these activities are heavily curtailed.'
Imdadul Kader was also hit and suffered a badly bruised elbow.
He said in his impact statement read in court: 'I saw the car crash into Mr Gartlan, and I saw him bleeding badly on the floor.
'Before the accident, I was a very talkative person. Now I feel like I've lost the joy inside me.
'I enjoyed London and studying here, but now I don't know how I will do these things as I have lost my confidence.'
Wearing a black suit, Awadalla admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Awadalla, of Acton, had 16 previous convictions for 31 offences including possessing an offensive weapon and assault by beating, the court heard.
Kane Sharpe, defending, said Awadalla's actions were down to his lack of sleep rather than his use of alcohol and cannabis at the festival over the weekend.
'He didn't use it as a weapon, this wasn't a deliberate act. Whilst it is right he fled the scene having heard police sirens, he remained on the scene afterwards for around 6 minutes during which time he was seen trying to help Mr Gartlan.
'Although he fled, he later came back to the scene to see if Mr Gartlan was okay. He accepts complete responsibility.'
Sentencing, Judge Sally-Ann Hales QC told Awadalla: 'On August 13, you fell asleep behind the wheel of your car.
'Your car suddenly accelerated at speed. Mr Gartlan was thrown onto the bonnet and was dragged as the car continued, before your car collided with two lamp posts and hit a tree.
'Mr Gartlan and Mr Kadar were in the wrong place at the wrong time. How it happened and why it happened remained something of a mystery until you admitted that you fell asleep.
'Mr Kader got away lightly. Nothing was broken but it was extremely painful. For him, the worst part was seeing how injured Martin Gartlan was.
'Mr Gartlan must have daily help for everyday activities which we take for granted. He has had to endure a very long period of pain which is nowhere near from over.
'You drove back from a festival with little sleep for days. You parked in a side road because you no doubt appreciated that you were not fit to drive.
'Because of the way the car was operated, it became a highly dangerous weapon.'
Judge Sally-Ann Hales QC jailed Awadalla for 27 months and banned him from driving for three years.