Drug driver who left a motorbike rider with life-changing injuries jailed
Mitchell Gregory, 22, collided head on with a motorbike on the A360 in market Lavington in September last year
A drug driver who collided with a motorbike, leaving the rider with life-changing injuries, has been jailed.
Mitchell Gregory, 22, of Bushell Road, Poole, got behind the wheel of a black Ford Fiesta while under the influence of cocaine on the evening of September 22, 2024,
He was driving on the A360 in market Lavington when he crossed the solid central white lines, colliding head on with a green Kawasaki motorbike travelling in the opposite direction.
The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 20s, suffered life-changing injuries in the collision.
Gregory admitted to an officer at the scene of losing control of his vehicle while going round a corner, and subsequent blood tests revealed a significant amount of cocaine in his system.
He was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving, to which he pleaded guilty.
At a hearing at Salisbury Crown Court on September 5, he was jailed for 27 months.
He was also disqualified from driving for four years, after which he must pass an extended driving test.
Investigating officer PC Lucy Thompson, from the Serious Collision Investigation Team, said: “Gregory’s actions that day are a tragic example of why it is never okay to drive when you are under the influence of drugs.
“It impairs your judgement and decision making, reduces your attention and focus on the road and impacts on your coordination.
“On this occasion, Gregory – who had consumed a significant amount of cocaine – misjudged a bend, leading him to collide head on with the victim who was travelling on a motorbike in the opposite direction.
“The victim sadly suffered life-changing injuries in the collision which have severely impacted on his chosen career.
“Gregory has now been jailed, where I hope he reflects on the impact of his actions.”