Drug-Driver David Campbell JAILED After Pinning 13-Year-Old Girl Against Railings
David Campbell, 37, has been jailed at Birmingham Crown Court after driving on cocaine and crushing a 13-year-old schoolgirl against railings in Northfield.
A drug-driver who ignored medical advice not to drive before veering off a road and pinning a 13-year-old girl against metal railings has been jailed for more than four years.
David Campbell, 37, was under the influence of cocaine when his vehicle left the carriageway on Bell Hill in Northfield, Birmingham, striking a traffic light and hitting the child as she waited to cross the road on 3 September 2024.
The victim sustained life-changing injuries in the collision, including a bleed on the brain, a depressed skull fracture and a fractured spine.
Campbell was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison at Birmingham Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst unfit through drugs, driving with a controlled drug over the specified limit, possession of a class A drug and possession of an offensive weapon.
The court heard that members of the public intercepted Campbell at the scene after he attempted to leave following the crash. Arriving police officers observed Campbell trying to conceal evidence by placing drugs into his mouth, leading to his immediate arrest and the recovery of the illicit substances.
During police interviews, Campbell claimed he had suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel and had no recollection of the incident. However, investigation revealed that doctors had repeatedly advised him not to drive due to his epilepsy, a condition he had failed to disclose to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Toxicological analysis later confirmed the presence of cocaine and traces of cannabis in his system, whilst showing no trace of his prescribed anti-epileptic medication.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Campbell, of Bridgeburn Road, Birmingham, was disqualified from driving for six years and two months, with the ban structured to commence upon his release from custody.
Highlighting the offender's deliberate breach of safety warnings and legal duties, investigating officer PC Aroon Aftab of the Road Traffic Investigation Team stated that Campbell had chosen to drive under the influence of drugs while knowing he was not taking his required medication and ignoring medical advice.
He added that the defendant's selfish choices had directly caused severe injury to a member of the public, expressing hope that the prison sentence would serve as a clear deterrent to those considering driving while impaired.
