A drunk driver who knocked down a rally competitor and left him for dead has been jailed for three years and nine months.
Sutherland gamekeeper Steven Fraser suffered life-changing injuries in the city collision just hours after he competed in last year’s Snowman Rally.
He was struck by drunk and disqualified driver Andrei Sinzieanu as he crossed the Friar’s Bridge In Inverness in the early hours of the morning.
The 26-year-old, who was working as a joiner in Inverness, had drunk a bottle of whisky before taking the wheel of his VW Passat.
Sinzieanu then drove off, leaving Mr Fraser bleeding on the road with multiple fractures. He then packed his cases and tried to escape south.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood told Sinzieanu: “Your actions were unconscionable. Having consumed a large amount of alcohol and being a disqualified driver, you drove dangerously and almost killed an innocent pedestrian.
“You then compounded your guilt by trying to escape.” He also banned him from driving for six years.
The court heard earlier how Sinzieanu’s bid to avoid prosecution was foiled by a motorist who was suspicious of Sinzieanu’s erratic driving and damaged vehicle.
The police were informed and he was intercepted by police 11 miles outside Inverness on the A9 at Dalmagarry.
Defence solicitor advocate Mike Chapman said: “There is nothing I can say that will lessen the trauma – both physical and no doubt mental – suffered by Mr Fraser,
“The way my client acted before and after cannot be condoned but he is remorseful.”
The impact of the 36-year-old, now living in Inverinate, smashed Sinzieanu’s windscreen, leaving blood on it as well as one of Mr Fraser’s shirt buttons.
Mr Fraser’s injuries included head trauma and internal bleeding, a complex liver laceration, contusions to his right lung, displacement of his sternum, fractured ribs right side, fractured right leg, fractured right arm and dislocated, fractures to his right side hip, and lacerations to face, both hands and forearms.
He suffered bone loss, skin grafts, scarring and his wounds required insertion of metal plates and screws. Mr Fraser also had to learn to walk again.
Sinzieanu had previously admitted six charges – drink driving, dangerous driving, being a disqualified driver, having no insurance, causing serious injury to Mr Fraser, and attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to avoid arrest.
Police Scotland’s Senior Investigating Officer for the crash Sergeant Donnie Mackinnon, of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Andrei Sinzieanu displayed a flagrant disregard for both the law and the safety of other road users.
“By failing to stop at the scene or offer any kind of assistance to the man he collided with, Sinzieanu showed absolutely no regard for the welfare of the victim, highlighted by his attempt to flee from Inverness in the same vehicle.
“I would like to commend the member of the public who contacted police and maintained observations on Sinzieanu’s vehicle as it left Inverness.”
