SCARY footage shows how a teenager used his phone nine times while driving before leaving his mother paralyzed in a horrific crash.
George Taylor phoned, texted and recorded five videos as he raced and overtook cars in an hour.
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Catherine was left paralyzed in a horrific accident with a teenage driver
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Mom can’t talk now
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Taylor made nine phone calls while driving
The 19-year-old had only had his driving license for 12 weeks when he crashed into the back of mum Catherine’s Skoda.
Even then, Taylor didn’t stop looking at his cell phone and told his friend, “I just collapsed.”
Catherine was left paralyzed from the neck down in horror and now requires lifelong care and support.
Taylor was jailed for two years and two months at Norwich Crown Court after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Catherine’s family said the “social” mum couldn’t breathe properly and couldn’t speak after the accident.
Her father said: “I will never forget the day we were told she had been in an accident and then we arrived at the hospital to face the reality that we could lose her.
“Hearing that my only daughter might not survive was devastating and, as her father, all I wanted to do was make everything better for her.
“The past 22 months have been traumatic and although I can’t change anything, I hope that by speaking out I can make others aware of what can happen on the roads. Catherine’s life changed in a split second, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“I am now focused on helping Catherine and her son as much as I can to make their lives as comfortable as possible.”
The horror took place on January 18, 2023, while Taylor was driving to college.
At 9.56am, the teenager sent his first video of himself driving with his knees up before turning on the camera for a selfie.
He sent another similar clip at 10.23am, before following it up eight minutes later with another video and photo.
Taylor then started texting a friend at 10.35am while driving his black Volkswagen Golf on the A47.
At 10:43 a.m., the driver shared another video while driving in the rain on his knees and a photo before the phone call.
The text was sent three minutes later, followed by a second phone call at 10.56am.
He received a text at 11.06am saying he was talking on the phone while driving – just seconds before he crashed.
Norfolk Police said Taylor did not see Catherine’s Skoda Fabia as she waited to turn in front of him.
A teenage girl crashed into the back of her car, causing her mother to go into cardiac arrest.
An off-duty paramedic treated her at the scene before she was rushed to hospital.
As well as the prison sentence, Taylor was banned from driving for 40 months and told he must take an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel again.
Speaking after the sentencing, Chief Investigating Officer Sergeant Callum Walchester said: “This is a deeply tragic case which, like many collisions, could have been completely avoided.
“Catherine was a fit and healthy mother who will now, as a result of Taylor’s actions, live the rest of her life paralyzed and require lifelong care and support.
“Catherine and her family have agreed to tell her story to highlight the dangers of mobile phone use, in the hope that no one else is in their position. This is proof of their strength and outlook, and I thank them for that.
“George Taylor made multiple decisions about the use of his mobile phone that day and in doing so put himself and everyone else at significant risk. It was Catherine who paid the price.
“Please, if you take nothing else from this message, watch the video and see how quickly things can change and understand the very real consequences, please just think.”
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Source: HIS Education