THIS is the terrifying moment a teenager mowed down a trainee doctor and his wife – seconds after being told he was “too drunk to drive”.
Joshua Bunn, now 22, hit Claire Winters and her husband Connor in Oldham, near Manchester, just after midnight on September 19, 2020.
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The car almost crushed Claire against the wall Credit: MEN Media
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Teenage driver Joshua Bunn mowed down the couple outside the restaurant Credit: MEN Media
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Claire Winters has told how the stroke left her struggling with post-traumatic stressCredit: MEN Media
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Claire and her husband Connor told Bunn he was too drunk to driveCredit: MEN Media
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But Bunn ran over Connor, who was left lying in the streetCredit: MEN Media
Claire and Connor were on their way home after going out to lunch when they saw Bunn “staggering” across the parking lot.
When Bunn got into the car, Connor approached and told him he “shouldn’t be drinking and driving.”
But as the pair walked away, Bunn rear-ended Connor – knocking him off his feet.
Shocking CCTV footage shows Bunn going into reverse before hitting the curb again and speeding towards the couple.
He narrowly missed Connor – but hit Claire and then sped off.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard it was a “miracle” that Claire was pushed through the tiny opening in the wall instead of hitting it.
In a victim impact statement, Claire said: “Thank God that gap was there, otherwise I honestly think I would have been killed that night.
“As the car went into reverse for the second time, I remember thinking, ‘This is it. I’m going to die.
“‘My daughter will wake up in the morning without her mom and for what?’
“I was left terrified. How could another human being do this to someone?
“I remember being afraid he was going to come back and finish us off.”
‘FRIGHTENING’
Claire couldn’t sleep for months after the accident – and is now undergoing post-traumatic stress counseling.
Trainee doctor Connor had to put his studies on hold and may now have to pay to retake a year of university.
He told the court: “Fortunately and miraculously our injuries were quite minor, but the emotional toll was very severe.
“There was anger and frustration – but most of all I felt guilty.
“If I hadn’t stopped and told him to stop driving while he was clearly drunk, none of this would have happened.
– Logically, I know that I didn’t do anything wrong, but I still feel guilty.
TEENAGE LIES
Bunn initially claimed he was attacked by Connor before he “passed out” – and that he had “no recollection” of the punch.
He admitted to drinking two bottles of beer, but denied being drunk or on drugs.
But Bunn was jailed for four years and seven months yesterday after pleading guilty to causing actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and attempted grievous bodily harm.
The 22-year-old was also banned from driving for five years after court delays kept the case pending for more than three years.
Recorder Nathan Moxon said Claire was “lucky not to have been pinned against the wall”.
He added: “We’ve all seen the CCTV footage. It’s terrifying.
“It’s a wonder there weren’t more significant injuries. If there hadn’t been a crack in the wall, death would have been predictable.”
Speaking afterwards, Claire said: “It’s taken so long. I’m just happy he got any form of jail time.
“I have all the signs of PTSD. I often hear and smell car engines. I feel like I’ve had a near-death experience.
“If it wasn’t for that void, I would have been crushed. I would have died.”
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Source: HIS Education