Jake Ford Was Left Seriously Injured And His Girlfriend Killed When Bus Struck Them

A young man who was left with significant life-changing injuries following a collision which killed his girlfriend has spoken about the impact of the incident after the driver pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court and was sentenced today.

Jake Ford, and girlfriend Summer Seymour, from Hillsborough, Sheffield, were travelling to Summer’s grandmother’s home, intending to catch a bus in Haymarket. As they crossed the road, they were struck by the bus being driven by Paul Andrew Brown, 51, on December 11, 2015.

Summer, 15, died from her injuries, whilst Jake, 17, suffered severe psychological injuries, internal bleeding, a crushed pelvis, leg and collar bone as well as dislocated fingers. He also suffered a punctured lung, broken vertebrae in his back and a damaged bladder.

At a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on February 14, 2017, Paul Andrew Brown pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced at the same court today to 10 months in prison and was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

During the trial, it was revealed that First Group, the bus company which employed Brown at the time of the incident, offers its drivers financial incentives for not braking too harshly. Also, it was revealed in Court that, only minutes before the fatal incident, Brown was eating, removing his coat and checking his mobile phone.

Jake said: “It is a relief that the driver pleaded guilty, taking responsibility for his actions, however nothing will change the fact that it has been life-changing for so many people.

“The incident has had a huge impact on mine and my family’s lives and left Summer’s family and friends devastated. Ultimately, today’s sentence will not undo that. I just hope drivers take more responsibility for their actions in future.”

Jake has instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access specialist support after the crash which left him needing significant rehabilitation from a multi-disciplinary team including both physical and psychological treatments. Jake continues to receive rehabilitation on a weekly basis.

David Withers, the solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Jake, said:

Expert Opinion

“This is an incredibly sad case in which the careless actions of a driver left a young man with serious, life-changing injuries and tragically took the life of a young girl.

“Today’s sentence highlights the need for other drivers to take note and be more responsible when on the road. Nothing is more important than your own safety and the safety of others on the roads.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge First Group to remove any financial incentives that they may have to encourage their drivers not to brake too harshly.

“Jake is happy that he can now try to put this terrible ordeal behind him and focus on his rehabilitation and recovery.

“We are working with Jake to help him overcome his injuries in the best way he can and will seek further funds that he will require for his ongoing therapy and to support his recovery.” David Withers - Partner, ATE Product Manager and BTE Relationship Partner