Drink driver who hit footballer on motorway jailed

A drink driver has been jailed for 28 months after a footballer lost a leg when he was hit by her car on a motorway hard shoulder.

Jordan Chiedozie, 31, was returning from a match playing for Southern League side Bashley when the crash happened on the M27 near Ower, Hampshire, as he was changing a tyre on 1 February 2025.

The former AFC Bournemouth striker lost his right leg and suffered open fractures on his left leg, along with a cracked pelvis.

Anna Bogusiewicz, 45, of Wraysbury, Berkshire, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drink driving.

She was also disqualified from driving for three years.

In a victim impact statement, Chiedozie said he was left drifting in and out of consciousness and tried to crawl after he was hit, but could not move his legs.

He was placed into an induced coma after the accident and said he remembered asking a doctor: "Have I really lost my leg?"

Chiedozie, who worked as a roofer alongside his football career, told the court: "Before, my life was simple… now every single thing is difficult."

He added: "I would love my life to be normal again, but it won't ever be because of one day that changed everything."

Chiedozie had been getting a lift home from a match in Devon from Bashley's physio Reighan Taylor.

She told the court that while she was not physically hurt, she had struggled to sleep after what she saw.

Bogusiewicz was breathalysed at the scene and found to have 60 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath and a later test showed 55 micrograms. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The dental technician had been visiting a friend in Totton and was driving home to Berkshire when she pulled off onto the hard shoulder near junction 2 of the M27 and failed to see Taylor's vehicle ahead.

The court heard she felt "palpable remorse" and took responsibility for what happened.

Chiedozie was given a guard of honour by teammates and his former club at a benefit match in July 2025.

Bashley described him as "inspirational" and said it was about "showing love and support".

He played for AFC Bournemouth's academy side for seven years earlier in his career.

Chiedozie was the Cherries' fan champion and presented the match ball for their home match against Tottenham on 7 January.

He was also given a tour of the club's new performance centre by head coach Andoni Iraola in the summer.

Having started his career at Bournemouth, he went on to play for clubs including Cambridge United, Margate, Poole Town and AFC Totton.

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