Speeding driver who fled scene of collision leaving seriously injured passengers jailed
Drew Philippidis, 25, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Last updated 3rd Sep 2025
A speeding driver who collided with a wall and fled the scene, leaving three passengers seriously injured, has been jailed.
Drew Philippidis, aged 25 and of Windsoredge in Nailsworth, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The court heard that Philippidis had been at a pub in Minchinhampton on the evening of 9 August 2024 and was overheard telling a group of people he was going to show them how fast his car could go.
At around 11.30pm he left the pub with four passengers in his Seat Leon.
CCTV footage showed the vehicle leaving the town at high speed and a witness reported that Philippidis almost hit her vehicle.
The passengers in the car, two of them 17 year olds and a woman in her 20s, pleaded with Philippidis to slow down.
Philippidis ignored them and continued to drive at a dangerous speed.
Moments later, Philippidis lost control of the car and collided with a wall at the junction of Butt Street and Cirencester Road.
Philippidis fled from the scene immediately after the impact, leaving the four passengers inside the wreckage. Three of them were seriously injured.
Members of the public helped the injured passengers before emergency services arrived and all four passengers were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Gloucestershire Police searched the area for Philippidis with a dog unit and help from the National Police Air Service.
He was found the net morning and was then arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Philippidis was interviewed twice by officers while in custody and asked to give his version of events but he declined to comment on both occasions.
He was released on bail pending enquiries and, following further investigation, Philippidis was charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in May this year (2025). He then pleaded guilty to the charges.
Before Philippidis was sentenced, the court heard victim impact statements read by the passengers who were injured in the collision.
One of them, who was 17-years-old at the time, required extensive surgery to stabilise his spine and can no longer pursue his dream of playing rugby professionally due to the injuries he sustained that night.
A woman in her 20s also sustained series injuries in the collision and was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she spent a week in intensive care following major spinal surgery to repair broken vertebrae.
A third victim, who was also aged 17 at the time of the incident said: “Our pleas for Philippidis to slow down were ignored and he just went faster and more out of control, driving dangerously. He was gambling with our lives like it meant nothing.”
Philippidis was given a 34 month prison sentence and banned from driving for 47 months. He will be required to take an extended re-test after that time.
Officer in the case PC Chris Horwood-Jones said: “I hope this sentence brings some closure for the victims and their families and goes to show that the courts will act positively against drivers who wilfully disregard traffic regulations and cause serious injuries to other people.
“This crash was horrific and has had long-lasting effects on these young people, leaving some with both severe physical and psychological suffering.
“Philippidis left the scene without a care for his injured passengers and evaded police to avoid the consequences of his actions.
“The victims have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of such adversity and must now rebuild their lives as a result of Philippidis’ utter disregard for road safety.”