A VAN driver who caused a serious crash by driving on the wrong side of the road has been jailed.
A box van and a lorry collided, trapping both drivers, on the A426 Rugby Road in Lutterworth at around 2am on March 20, 2020.
An investigation by Leicestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) established that the van’s driver, 27-year-old Constantin Muscalu, had been driving on the wrong side of the road, travelling south on the northbound carriageway.
Detectives determined that Muscalu had not taken any form of evasive action to avoid the lorry, driven by a man in his 40s.
Despite the other driver trying to slow down, both vehicles collided head-on. Both drivers required hospital treatment for a number of weeks.
At Leicester Crown Court, Muscalu was jailed for 20 months after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was also given a driving disqualification of two years and 10 months.
Det Sgt Paul Hawkins from the SCIU, the senior investigating officer, said: “Muscalu was driving on the other side of the road and took no action to avoid colliding head-on with another vehicle – something which could have had far more devastating consequences for all involved.
“I don’t know whether it was a momentary lapse in concentration, but he will be well aware that in the UK, we drive on the left-hand side of the road and there was ample road signage to highlight this.
“I am just relieved that no-one lost their life as a consequence of his actions. However, the injuries suffered by the other driver have had a significant impact on his life and I hope the conclusion of the case will provide a degree of closure and allow him to move on.”
