Gospodin Hristov, 34, of Witham Street, Boston, has been sentenced after causing serious injuries to three persons following a collision.
About 9.20am on Monday 28 October 2024 Hristov was driving a BMW 118D from Saxilby towards Harby along Station Road when he approached the junction with Tom Otter’s Lane and Saxilby Road. Travelling along the B1190 Saxilby Road towards the A57 at the same time was a Nissan Qashqai Tekna.
As Hristov reached the junction he failed to give way colliding with the Nissan and causing serious injury to the driver and her two passengers. The junction is preceded by a number of clearly visible warning signs and there is no advance view of the priority road on approach in either direction.
The driver of the Qashqai, 43, and her two passengers, aged 12 and 15, all received multiple fractures that required extensive treatment at hospital. All three have had to undergo surgery for their respective considerable injuries.
Following detailed investigation by Lincolnshire Police’s Serious and Forensic Collision Investigation Units Hristov was charged with the offences that he was sentenced for at court today. Technical examinations of the vehicles found no issues that were contributory in the collision, albeit the BMW had faulty brakes, but they would have stopped the car if applied.
It was established during the investigation that Hristov had passed a number of yellow backed warning signs advising of the approaching junction and the requirement to give way at the junction. It was also noted that on the approach there would be little view of any approaching traffic on the road crossing ahead.
Witness testimony and investigations at the scene indicate that Hristov entered the junction at speed and made no attempt to give way. The other driver had no opportunity to avoid the inevitable collision that occurred.
In interview, Hristov stated that he was using his sat nav through his phone as he was unfamiliar with the area. Examination of his phone confirmed that it was not being used for other reasons at the time of the collision. He was unable to give a reason as to why he failed to notice the warning signs on the approach to the junction.
Detective Sergeant Mel Ablitt, from Lincolnshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This collision was due to the dangerous driving of Hristov when he failed to heed the warnings of the approaching junction. Those signs were clearly visible and there to be seen, but he emerged into the path of an oncoming car with no regard for anyone’s safety.
“The importance of concentration and reacting to the information that surrounds you cannot be overstated. You have a responsibility to your passengers and other road users to drive in accordance with the rules of the road and give way at junctions if required to do so.”
Hristov, of Witham Street, Boston, was today sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court to three years imprisonment, for three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also banned from driving for a total of three years and three months and must take an extended re-test before being allowed to drive again.
