Father reveals how daughter is paralysed after teen crashed into her
Published: 08:27 GMT, 26 November 2024
A single mother who worked as a fitness instructor has been left paraplegic and needing round-the-clock care after a teenage driver ploughed into her while he filmed himself at the wheel.
George Taylor made two calls, sent text messages and recorded five videos showing him driving a Volkswagen Golf at speed and overtaking other vehicles while using his knees on his steering wheel when he crashed into Catherine Davies.
Taylor had held his licence for less than 12 weeks when he used his mobile 'throughout the journey' to college on the A47 near Norwich in January last year.
Ms Davies, was left unable to speak or breathe independently following the crash and she will never be able to hug her 10-year-old son again.
The 51-year-old now relies on round-the-clock care in a specially adapted property fitted with life-support equipment.
Ms Davies' father Jeremy said in a statement: 'Catherine has always been such a gregarious person with a great sense of humour and so full of life.
'I'll never forget that day when we were told she had been in an accident and then arriving at the hospital to be facing the reality that we may lose her.
'To hear that my only daughter may not survive was heartbreaking and, as her dad, all I wanted to do was make everything better for her.'
The teenager, of Stretham, Cambridgeshire, recorded five videos showing him driving a Volkswagen Golf at speed and overtaking other vehicles while using his knees on his steering wheel, Norfolk Police said.
He also made two calls and sent text messages.
Sergeant Callum Walchester said: 'George Taylor made multiple decisions to use his mobile phone that day and in doing so put himself and everyone else at significant risk.
'It was Catherine who has paid the price.'
Ms Davies' father added: 'The past 22 months have been traumatic and while I can't change anything, I hope that by speaking out I can make others aware of what can happen on the roads.
'Catherine's life was changed in a split second, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
'My focus now is to help Catherine and her son as much as I can to make their lives as comfortable as possible.'
The fitness instructor wasn't expected to survive the catastrophic brain and spinal injuries she sustained but was stabilised after surgery.
Taylor, who will serve his time in a young offenders' institution, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The teenager is now 19 and the offence carried a maximum jail term of five years.
Describing the case as 'very sad', Judge Anthony Bate said: 'The defendant was using his phone multiple times throughout the journey…it is remarkable that the defendant did not collide with somebody sooner.'
Ms Davies was waiting at a junction of the A47 between Hockering and Honingham in Norfolk on January 18 last year when her Skoda Fabia was hit by Taylor's VW Golf, which witnesses said appeared not to react to traffic ahead of it.
An investigation by Norfolk Police found photos and videos that showed he had recorded himself driving without his hands on the steering wheel as he dangerously overtook other cars.
He had also sent videos, text messages and made phone calls.
At the moment of the crash, he told police he was leaning over to move his phone from a cupholder so that he could reach his vape.
Gravely injured Ms Davies was put on palliative care in hospital but survived following surgery to her spine.
She spent two years in various hospitals including the Princess Alexandra Hospital spinal injuries unit in Sheffield, and was only discharged earlier this month.
Sergeant Callum Walchester said that Taylor 'didn't set out... intending to cause unimaginable injuries to another person but sadly that is exactly what he did'.
'Catherine was a fit and healthy mother who now, as a result of Taylor's actions, will live out the rest of her life paralysed and requiring lifelong care and support,' he said.
'Catherine and her family have agreed for us to tell her story to highlight the dangers that using a mobile phone poses, in the hope that no one else is in their position.
'This is testament to their strength and outlook and for that I thank them.'