SECONDS BEFORE SMASH
Shocking moment driver, 22, films herself inhaling laughing gas behind wheel before crash that hurt teen
The court heard how she was shouting 'I can't even drive'
THIS is the shocking moment a driver filmed herself inhaling laughing gas behind the wheel before she caused a horror crash.
Georgia Hunter's Citroen was left on its roof in a hedge in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in June last year.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard Hunter was within the limit of alcohol despite drinking Prosecco and beer that night.
But she had high levels of a breakdown product of cocaine in her system that put her seven times over the legal amount.
Her terrified backseat passenger asked her to stop and wanted to get out.
He suffered a fractured skull, spine, eye socket, breastbone, bleeding on the brain and broken teeth in the late night smash on a dark road.
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The 17-year-old front seat passenger was left with a broken pelvis, damage to her sciatic nerve and fears her injuries may prevent her from having children in future.
A third passenger, who did not suffer serious injury, told police: "I'm amazed I survived."
The 22-year-old, of South Tyneside, admitted two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one of drug driving.
She has now been jailed for two years with a four year road ban.
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Hunter, who also suffered "horrific" injuries in the smash, was told by Judge Stephen Earl her behaviour was "catastrophically stupid" and it is "absolutely amazing" that nobody died.
Judge Earl said: "It is one of the worst non-fatal dangerous drivings I have seen.
Laughing gas left me in a wheelchair for life – don’t make my mistake
"It was an accident that happened, that was waiting to happen."
Prosecutor Susannah Proctor told the court: "Seven videos from her mobile phone showed her videoing herself as she drove along inhaling laughing gas from the balloon.
"She was shouting 'I can't even drive' while the man in the rear was asking her to stop."
One of the shocking videos found on the handset was played in court.
The court heard Hunter had collected her front seat passenger at around 5pm on June 9 last year.
They went to the Lakeside pub in Jarrow where they bought alcoholic drinks and sat in the beer garden but left after an argument with a group of females.
Hunter then drove them to the Soho Tavern in Gateshead where they met with two males.
They stayed there until it closed although the females had left for around half an hour to buy laughing gas.
Nitrous oxide - the facts
NITROUS oxide - also known as laughing gas or hippy crack - was recently made a Class C due to the dangers associated with the drug.
It can cause a range of health issues and in some cases can even be fatal.
Some common side effects from inhaling the gas are dizziness, nausea, disorientation, loss of balance and weakness in legs, according to a study on its risks published to the .
Nitrous oxide can impair memory and thinking, the research mentioned. Some users might also feel anxious or paranoid.
According to the (ADF), the gas from nitrous oxide bulbs is intensely cold, sometimes as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.
Inhaling directly from the canister or crackers - handheld devices used to 'crack' open canister - can cause frostbite on the nose, lips and throat, even the vocal cords.
The icy chill of the gas canisters can also cause cold burns to the hands.
Long term, heavy use of laughing gas can cause a lack of vitamin B12. Severe deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes.
Lack of B12 can also cause damage to the spinal cord.
In some cases, frequent and prolonged use of nitrous oxide has been linked to thromboembolic events - this means a blood clot has gotten stuck and caused an obstruction.
The so-called laughing gas has also resulted in deaths.
The court heard the group had then planned to go to a workingmen's club but it was closed and they travelled in the Citroen along Banesley Lane in the town.
Miss Proctor added: "The male passenger described her driving erratically, driving too fast for the road.
"The defendant, during the journey, was inhaling laughing gas from the balloons as she drove.
"He knew of the affect it would have on her and requested to get out of the vehicle. He told the defendant he wanted to get out.
"She replied 'I'm a good driver' before pulling away at speed.
"He said she wasn't in control, he recalls double checking his seat belt."
The court heard Hunter was seen "wandering around, shouting and screaming" after the crash.
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Fiona Lamb, defending, said Hunter works at a doctors' surgery, has a supportive family and mental health problems.
Miss Lamb said Hunter has genuine remorse for what happened and has scars that will remind her of what she did.
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