Man, 20, who left taxi driver with life-changing injuries after going at 70mph in a 30mph zone spared jail

A 20-year-old driver hit speeds of over 70mph in a 30-zone before smashing into a taxi and injuring the driver and passenger inside.

Max Street, from Farnworth, was driving at 71mph along Blackamoor Road in Blackburn on April 28 last year when he struck a Toyota Prius taxi.

The driver, 67, was rushed to hospital and left with life-changing injuries following the collision. The passenger made a full recovery, Lancashire Police said.

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The driver, Mr Street, suffered minor injuries. He was arrested and later plead guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Preston Crown Court.

Street, of Fern Street in Farnworth, was sentenced on November 5 at Preston Crown Court to 20 months, suspended for two years, 250 hours community service, and three years disqualification from driving.

Sgt Paul McCurrie, of Lancashire Constabulary’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Mr Street was clearly driving dangerously at speeds well in excess of the speed limit and if he had not been doing so this collision, which left a man with some significant life changing injuries, would never have occurred.

“I hope this sentence will make Mr Street reflect on his behaviour and change it. In the meantime, we remain committed to making the county’s roads safer by reducing casualties and targeting criminals and bringing them to justice.”