A CARELESS driver who “left a teenager in the road for dead” after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run crash has been spared prison.

Darriel Rupare, 21, was behind the wheel without insurance or a valid licence when he was involved in a collision with 18-year-old motorcyclist Lucy Sturgess in Colchester.

After she was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Lucy underwent surgery to irrigate her wounds, which included an open fracture and severe damage to her foot and ankle.

She is now considering having part of her leg amputated due to the constant pain she lives with.

Rupare, of Lapwing Lane, Stockport, had denied charges of driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a valid licence, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident to the police.

But he changed his pleas to guilty on the day of his trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The court record revealed magistrates felt only a custodial sentence would suffice due to the serious injury caused.

Echo: Lucy continues to receive hospital treatmentLucy continues to receive hospital treatment

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment but it was suspended for 18 months. Rupare must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for a year and must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement.

The record states he left the scene knowing he had caused serious injury and later denied his involvement when “first tracked down”.

Speaking after Rupare changed his plea to guilty, Lucy, from Colchester, said: “Not only has he put me through the trauma of a nearly fatal hit and run and turned my life upside down, but he has also put me through a totally unnecessary year-long [ordeal].

“He asked the witness care team to forward me an email from him which included an apology, but he wasn’t sorry when he left me in the road for dead.”

Echo: Lucy was forced to quit her job as she continues to recover Lucy was forced to quit her job as she continues to recover

Lucy said more than a year on from the crash, she is still recovering and will require further surgery in the near future.

“I am still in excruciating pain every day just to complete basic daily tasks, but I’m doing the best I can,” she said.

“I am considering having a left lower leg amputation as this could increase my chances of ‘recovery’ and resuming a more normal life.

“I miss out on so much now because I just don’t have the physical ability and it’s a devastating reality to have to live with at 18 years old.

“I don’t want to live the rest of my life controlled and limited by debilitating pain.”