Woman reveals how she nearly lost leg after speeding BMW driver crushed her against metal railings

Horror crash: Monica Maria was left pinned to railings
David Churchill31 August 2017

A woman who nearly lost her leg after a speeding BMW smashed her into railings has called for the driver to be banned for life.

Faruk Miah, 35, is facing jail after being found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

A jury at Snaresbrook crown court heard how he “floored it” in his sports car and was driving at up to 59mph in a 30mph zone moments before losing control and ploughing into Monica Maria, who was walking to work.

Footage, circulated on WhatsApp, showed her pinned against the railings and lying unconscious beneath Miah’s BMW M3 convertible.

Monica Maria nearly lost her leg

The crash happened during morning rush hour on June 21 last year after Miah undertook traffic on a busy intersection before clipping another car and ploughing into his victim.

Ms Maria told the Standard: “In a split second my life changed forever. The driver mounted the pavement and crashed into me, pinning me against the railings. As I passed out it was like everything went into a black hole.

“I almost lost my leg, but it is the mental scars that are the deepest. I find it difficult to go out and struggle to deal with traffic as I have flashbacks when I walk in busy places.

"I have been diagnosed with PTSD and am having counselling. I am so very angry that this happened. Despite the pain and suffering he has put me through, the driver has never once contacted me, apologised or even asked if I was all right. He doesn’t seem to care.

“I am pleased that he has been found guilty of what he did to me and hope that he goes to jail for a long time. He should never be allowed to drive again to save others from the nightmare I have had to endure.”

Faruk Miah, 35, is facing jail after being found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving
Central News

The court was told Miah had “zoomed” towards the crossing on Commercial Road, in Limehouse to make it through a green light.

Tristan Chaize, prosecuting, told the court Miah wrongfully undertook several vehicles to get past rush hour traffic in an “illegal” move in which he swerved into a bus lane.

He clipped a Toyota Prius moving across the intersection before losing control, mounting the pavement and hitting Ms Maria.

Mr Chaize told the court: “He floored it to get past the traffic and get ahead. The driver of the Prius thought it was clear but because of the speed Mr Miah had got up to in his powerful car he zoomed through and from then on was going too fast.” Ms Maria’s leg was fractured in several places and she needed an operation to insert a metal rod.

Miah, from the Isle of Dogs, denied one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He will be sentenced on September 22.

Patrick Maguire, a specialist lawyer from Slater and Gordon who represented Ms Maria, said: “Monica is lucky to be alive after a horrific crash that has left her traumatised. It is astounding he did not kill somebody and we are relieved he has been found guilty.”

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