Drunk, ‘aggressive and petulant’ speeding van driver jailed for two years for hit and run that left cyclist without an arm

A drunk, ‘aggressive and petulant’ van driver who left a cyclist for dead in the road before asking his landlord to cover for him has been jailed for two years.

Northampton Crown Court heard Danny Hollowell, 25, hit Simon Simon, 59 late at night in September last year when he overtook another motorist at around 80mph.

Alex Bull, prosecuting, said Mr Simon’s arm went through the windscreen before Hollowell was then seen to “drive off at speed”.

The other car found Mr Simon on the road and took him to hospital where his right arm had to be amputated.

Ms Bull said: “There were warning signs prior to where Hollowell overtook the vehicle about hidden dips.

“The cyclist would have been clearly visible as he was wearing a high-visibility jacket and a head torch.”

Hollowell, who admitted to police he had been drinking earlier that evening, returned home, showered and later asked his landlord to say they had been to the pub together that night.

According to the Northampton Chronicle, when later presented with forensic evidence which showed tiny fragments of broken glass in his clothes, hair and shower, Hollowell admitted he had been the driver but said he thought he had struck a deer.

Hollowell pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice.

Mr Simon told the court that the collision had been life-changing.

He said: “I am right-handed so it has made it virtually impossible to carry out daily tasks. A few days ago it took me 30 minutes to get dressed.”

Recorder Timothy Spencer, sentencing, said: “This was very, very bad driving. It was aggressive and it was probably petulant as well. There was an element of drink although it is impossible to know how much was in you.”