Man sentenced to three years behind bars following serious collision in Betchworth

A man has been sentenced to three years in prison for dangerous driving offences following a collision in Betchworth last year, which left a man paralysed.

Alexandru Ifteni, 33 of Aldwick Close, Farnborough, has been sentenced to three years and given a 78 month disqualification with extended re-test after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

 

Officers were called to Pebble Hill Road in Betchworth on Thursday, 9 April 2020 at around 5pm following a serious collision involving two vehicles. Ifteni had been driving a white van down Pebble Hill Road on his way home from work when he collided with another small van which was travelling in the opposite direction.

 

Enquiries following the collision revealed that Ifteni was driving without a valid licence. He was taken to hospital to be treated for a broken arm and a dislocated knee. Further blood tests revealed that Ifteni was over the legal drink driving limit and had cocaine in his system.

 

The other driver had to be removed from his vehicle by Surrey Fire and Rescue before being rushed to hospital with serious injuries. He has been left paralysed from the chest down following the collision.

 

Ifteni appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (28 May), where he was sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from driving for 78 months.

 

Stuart Bonner from Surrey Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “The injuries which the victim sustained in this collision were horrific.

 

“He has been left paralysed from the chest down and as a self-employed builder is no longer able to work.

 

“Ifteni put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel that day without a valid licence and whilst being over the legal limit. Anyone driving dangerously especially with alcohol and drugs in their system should be aware of the serious life-changing implications their selfish actions may have.”