AN ADDISCOMBE man who overturned his car onto train tracks in Whyteleafe and caused serious injuries to one of his passengers has been jailed.
Adam Hmimssa, of Vincent Road, 27, lost control of his black Vauxhall Astra at around 4.40am on Saturday, November 9 ,2013 at a level crossing along the A22 Godstone Road at its junction with Salmons Lane.
His car left the road and went up a steep bank before overturning and eventually coming to a stop on the railway line close to Whyteleafe South train station.
Hmimssa and two passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries in the collision but a third passenger suffered serious injuries and was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting for further treatment.
Hmimssa had denied causing serious injury by dangerous driving, endangering the safety of a person conveyed in or upon the railway and driving with no insurance.
He was found guilty of all offences yesterday (Tuesday) following a trial at Guildford Crown Court and jailed for 30 months.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years and will have to undertake an extended driving test before he is eligible to get his licence back.
Sergeant Eddie Ryan, of Surrey Police's Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I welcome the lengthy custodial sentence for Hmimssa which clearly reflects the reckless and highly dangerous nature of his driving on the night of the incident.
"As a result of the collision one of the passengers in the vehicle suffered serious injuries which have left him dependant on medication for the rest of his life.
"The fact that the car came to a stop on the railway lines demonstrates how easily this incident could have had an even more tragic outcome and it is fortunate that the collision took place at a time of day when trains were not using the railway line.
"Hmimssa's irresponsible actions caused significant disruption and put the lives of others at risk. I hope the sentence highlights that we will do everything possible to ensure that those who ignore the rules of the road are put before the courts."
