HOW DID HE SURVIVE?
Shocking moment cyclist is somersaulted 10ft through the air ‘like a rag doll’ by teenage hit-and-run driver
Benjamin George "almost demolished" the cyclist after hitting him during a five-hour campaign of reckless driving
THIS is the horrifying moment a cyclist was "almost demolished" after being launched 10ft in the air like a rag doll by a teen hit-and-run driver.
Victim Jacek Szafranski was thrown into the air before being left motionless on the ground by callous Benjamin George, 19.
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The teen motorist had been on a five-hour rampage of reckless driving that included going the wrong way down a dual carriageway.
George also shook off a police car following him, jumped red lights, dangerously overtook multiple vehicles and almost hit a pedestrian crossing the road.
He struck Jacek, who was cycling to work in Poole, after hurtling through a red light and crashing side on into him.
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The cyclist somersaulted 10ft in the air as George "almost demolished" him the horror smash.
Jacek was left with a fractured left ankle and three broken toes, as well as cuts to his head, thigh, calf and foot and a collapsed lung.
George, who only has a provisional licence and no insurance, was today sent to a Young Offenders Institute for five years for the October crash.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, making off without payment, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.
Bournemouth Crown Court heard George was on bail for a previous spell of dangerous driving just 13 days earlier when he again drove the wrong way down the A338.
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Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said the cyclist, who is a talented volleyball player, became aware of the noise of a car being driven at speed moments before the crash.
He added: "He looked to his right and said 'to my horror I saw a car travelling at a very fast speed straight towards me. I had no time to react or alter my course to get out of the way.
"It didn't appear to be slowing down. I could see the driver and the front of the car hit my right leg and I was thrown into the air'.
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"Mr George continued down to the roundabout before abandoning his car. He didn't stop at any time.
"Mr Szafranski is suffering sleepless nights and said 'every time I close my eyes the accident scene haunts me'.
"He said 'my life has been shattered and at this time I am still struggling to come to terms with what has happened to me'."
Nick Robinson, defending, admitted his client was the "worst person to be behind a wheel".
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Judge Brian Forster QC sentenced George to five years in a Young Offenders Institution and disqualified from driving for six years, which will be suspended for two and a half years while he is in prison.
He said: "You were on bail when you became involved in the second group of offences. On this occasion you drove in a manner that again put all road users at risk. Anyone could have been killed by your driving on either of the occasions.
"On this occasion someone doing no more than riding their bicycle was almost demolished by you.
"You continued to drive in this way that put everybody at risk."
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