Driver jailed after woman seriously hurt in crash

A driver who was under the influence of cocaine when he seriously injured a woman in a head-on crash has been jailed.

Stanislav Atanasov, 39, was travelling at speed on Pershore Lane in Worcester on 14 February when he overtook traffic and crashed with another vehicle, police said.

West Mercia Police said the 29-year-old woman driving the other vehicle "suffered serious and life-changing injuries".

Atanasov, of no fixed address, was jailed for 38 months at Worcester Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving with no insurance.

Police said it was clear to officers and paramedics at the crash scene that Atanasov was under the influence of drugs.

He tested positive for cocaine and a toxicology report later showed he had "no less than 138 micrograms of Benzoylecgonine (BZE) per litre of blood, with the legal limit being 50".

BZE is the breakdown product of cocaine which shows up in the bloodstream after use.

Atanasov also had no less than 95 micrograms of Methylamphetamine per litre of blood when the legal limit was 10, police added.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty at magistrates' court on 17 February, was held on remand until Friday's sentencing.

He will also serve a five-year driving ban on his release from prison, with an extended re-test to be taken before he can return to the road.

"The strength the victim has shown over these weeks since the collision has been astonishing," said PC Mark Hyett.

"There is still a long way to go in her recovery as she continues to receive all the medical care she needs, but we hope that today marks the next step of that journey."

He said he hoped sharing the details of Atanasov's case would make people "think twice" about getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs.

"His actions were reckless and selfish," the officer said. "We welcome the custodial sentence handed to him today, as does the victim and her family."

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