Witnesses required to secure specialist treatment for man with serious brain injuries

22/07/2010

Stephen Patterson was knocked down in Sunderland city centre in 2006, leaving him in a coma for a week and left with serious brain injuries.

Stephen's memory and concentration have been significantly affected, with other symptoms including short temper, anxiety and depression.

Four years on, the dad-to-be is fighting an insurance claim that would help him pay for special treatment to get his life back on track.

The driver who hit him, Martin Goldsmith, of Witton Court, Tunstall, was found guilty of driving an unroadworthy vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stephen's solicitors at Irwin Mitchell are hoping to trace the driver of a white vehicle, believed to be a taxi, who was at the scene in Green Terrace, 100 yards from the junction of Vine Place, in the early hours of Sunday, February 19 2006. The man was waved on by police. CCTV evidence has been acquired.

They say he may be able to provide the conclusive evidence to get Stephen, who now lives in Red House with partner Laura, 20, the support he needs to live a higher quality, more independent life.

"It's been dragging on for four years now and I just want to get it over with and put it behind me. The driver who hit me will want to get on with his life as well," said Stephen.

"I just want to get myself back on track, especially with the baby on the way."

Since the accident Stephen has been unable to go back to work and spends most of his time at home, causing depression.

Experts are confident Stephen can receive specialist help from a centre in Yorkshire, but treatment is expensive and he will need money from his claim to fund it.

John Davis, partner and serious injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: "His life has been turned upside-down as a result of this and we have launched legal proceedings to access vital support for Mr Patterson that will give him far more independence and an improved quality of life."

Mr Davis said CCTV images only tell part of the story and the team needs to build up a picture of how Goldsmith was acting immediately before the incident, and urgently need to speak to the driver of the white vehicle.

"He must have been following the vehicle involved in the crash – he could shed some light on the way the driver was behaving and the speed at which he was travelling.

"It was a long time ago but there is no way anybody would have forgotten such a horrific incident."

Anyone with information about the crash should contact John Davis or Kate Nicklin at Irwin Mitchell on 279 0141.

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