Mum Speaks Out After Driver Who Dragged Her To Roadside Before Fleeing Is Sentenced

A mum has spoken for the first time about her battle to overcome serious injuries she suffered in a hit and run - during which the driver dragged her to the roadside before fleeing.

Lynn Cottis suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as a number of leg, pelvic and facial fractures in the crash which happened when a car was travelling the wrong way along a one-way street in Grimsby.

Following the collision, the driver got out of his car and moved the 61-year-old to the side of the road before driving off.

Her family instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the circumstances of the collision and secure support to help with her rehabilitation and recovery.

The driver responsible for the crash has now been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison during a hearing at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court.

Expert Opinion

Many people will be shocked at the callous behaviour of the driver in this case. Not only did they show a total disregard for road safety by driving the wrong way along a one-way street, they then got out of their vehicle to move Lynn before driving off in spite of her serious injuries.

“Lynn’s injuries are still having a profound effect on her life, not just physically but mentally. It is still not yet known how full a recovery she will be able to make but we are supporting her and helping her to access the vital rehabilitation and therapies she now needs.

“This case sadly highlights the terrible consequences innocent road users can have to face because of the negligent actions of others. We hope that Lynn’s case acts a deterrent to those who think it is acceptable to break the law. We implore all drivers to drive responsibly at all times so other families don’t have to go through a similar experience to that which Lynn and her family are enduring.” Claire Pilsworth - Senior Associate Solicitor

Lynn was crossing Gilbey Road near the junction with Pyewipe Road when she was hit by a car. The mother-of-two had been walking to a nearby takeaway restaurant for her family when the collision happened at about 5pm on 9 March.

She was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary with a fractured right tibia and fibula, a broken right pelvis and several facial fractures. Following hospital scans she was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain.

After three days Lynn was transferred to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital where she spent a further week.

Lynn has been unable to return to her job at a food factory. She is experiencing mobility and memory problems and has problems finding the right words to express herself.

She said: “I can’t remember a great deal about the accident and have had to rely on others to tell me what happened. However, after been told more about what happened to me I am angry that the driver basically left me like a dog at the side of the road and showed no concern for how badly injured I was.

“Every day is a real struggle because of my injuries and I am struggling to do complete simple daily tasks which people take for granted.

“Before the crash I loved going out and spending time with my family but now I struggle to do this because of my injuries. 

“The doctors are still not sure how much of a recovery I will make which obviously is a real concern for all of us. We are just trying to take it one day at a time.

“The driver taking responsibility for his action and pleading guilty means I can now try and focus on my recovery instead of dwelling on the past.

“I just hope that my story acts as a reminder of how other people’s lives can be turned upside down by motorists thinking it is acceptable to break the law.”

Benjamin Dempsey, the driver involved in the incident, was found by police a couple of days after the collision.

The 26-year-old of Convamore Road, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to report a crime and leaving the scene of a crime in relation to the incident.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £300.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling road traffic accident cases.