Cyclist left for dead in hit-and-run in north London speaks out about 'devastating' effect of crash

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A cyclist who was left for dead and suffering serious brain injuries in a hit-and-run today spoke of the “devastating” effect the crash has had on him.

Medical student Josh Dey, 22, was hit by BMW driver Sean Fagan, 29, who was on the wrong side of the road in Swain’s Lane, Highgate.

Mr Dey was cycling home from Hampstead Heath when the crash happened, and woke up in hospital with no memory of the day.

Fagan carried on driving despite the shocking collision, and was only brought to justice after Mr Dey himself tracked down CCTV of the incident.

Fagan was jailed for 20 months after pleading guilty at Blackfriars crown court to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic accident and failing to report an accident to the police

Josh Dey was injured after being knocked off his bike in north London

Mr Dey revealed that the crash means he is facing a £9,000 bill for re-taking the fourth year of his medical degree at University College London, and has left him battling depression.

He told the Standard: “It has been devastating really. For me, cycling was a passion and I used it for transport but also for dealing with the pressures of university.

“My outlet was cycling, especially in this weather. Now I am stuck at home.

This CCTV image shows Mr Dey cycling in north London before being hit by Sean Fagan

“I physically can’t cycle now because I ruptured a ligament in my knee — my knee will never be the same. I do want to cycle again but I am more anxious on the roads. I still haven’t resolved it in my head.”

Mr Dey, of Archway, said there is “still so much” to be done to make cycling safer in London, adding: “There could be more cycle lanes, and harsher punishments for hit-and-run drivers would be reassuring. I am sure my case is the tip of the iceberg.”

Jailing Fagan, Judge John Hillen said the driver “lost control” of his car before the crash on April 21.

Fagan crashed head-on into the cyclist while driving on the wrong side of the road

He added: “Looking at the CCTV it was a terrifying moment for anyone, cyclist, pedestrian or another car coming from a different direction.

“You drove straight into Mr Dey and hit him head-on so that he flew straight into the air and fell into the road motionless.

“One might have expected then for a normal, decent human being to stop at that point.”

The CCTV shows Fagan fleeing the scene

Mr Dey suffered a bleed on the brain, a broken nose and permanent damage to his knee.

Ciara McElvogue, for Fagan, said the driver was distracted by an argument with a drunk passenger, and he “fully accepts that he lost control of that vehicle and that he was on the wrong side of the road”.

Fagan has been jailed for 20 months over the crash

She added: “He failed to stop at the site of the incident through panic.”

Fagan, from Islington, is now banned from driving for two years and 10 months and the judge ordered the seizure of his BMW convertible.

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