Happiness Club
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A driver who hit a pedestrian in Ipswich attempted to purchase an airline ticket following the collision, a court has heard. Florin Mazarache later returned to the scene but failed to report his involvement to emergency services.
The big picture: Mazarache, 26, of Geneva Road, was given a 15-month suspended sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on 29 November after admitting causing serious injury by careless driving, failing to stop, and failing to report a collision.
How it happened:
The collision occurred on Portman Road near Barrack Corner on 15 October when Mazarache's car struck a woman who had fallen into the road.
Instead of stopping to help, he drove to his home.
Evidence showed he tried to purchase an airline ticket after the incident.
He later returned to the scene, but police body-worn cameras captured his presence while he failed to identify himself to emergency services.
Officers later arrested him at his home.
The impact: The female pedestrian was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, with head injuries described as "life-changing" from which she will never fully recover.
The sentence:
15-month suspended custodial sentence for causing serious injury by careless driving
Two concurrent four-month suspended terms for failing to stop and report
15 days' rehabilitation
12-month driving ban
250 hours unpaid community work
£500 costs
What they're saying: Dc Mark Simpson said: "This investigation shows that police will actively pursue drivers who flee the scene of collisions and believe they can evade being brought to justice."
Bottom line: Despite initially denying the offences and attempting to evade responsibility, evidence gathered by police led to Mazarache's conviction for a collision that has permanently affected his victim's life.
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