Haunting footage shows teen used phone nine times behind wheel before leaving mum paralysed
Chilling footage reveals that a teenager used his phone a total of nine times while at the wheel before crashing into a woman's car.
Brit George Taylor, 19, made a number of calls, texts and took videos while speeding in a one-hour period while driving back in January 2023.
The teen only had his driving licence for 12 weeks when he collided with the back of the woman's Skoda.
Catherine, a mother-of-one, was left with serious injuries after being rear ended at high speed, as Taylor even messaged a friend after the crash, typing 'I've just crashed'.
Advert
The incident took place on 18 January, 2023, while Taylor made his way to college in his black Volkswagen Golf on the A47.
Horrifying footage revealing exactly what Taylor videoed and messaged, as well as when he took phone calls along his journey, can be viewed above.
At 9.56am, the teenager sent the first of five videos, where he filmed himself steering the car with his knees, flipping the camera to show his face.
A similar video was taken at 10.23am, with a third following around half past 10 along with a photo, revealing the car going at fast speeds, overtaking other vehicles, while he continued to steer with his knees.
Another photo and another video were sent at 10.43am as he drove through the rain, still without his hands at the wheel, taking a phone call shortly after.
He then sent a message out a few minutes later, making a second phone call just before 11am, and even received a message from someone pointing out that he was on his phone while at the wheel.
That was just seconds before the collision, as Norfolk Police stated that he failed to see Catherine's Skoda Fabia waiting to turn ahead.
He crashed into the back of her car, resulting in Catherine suffering a cardiac arrest as an off-duty paramedic carried out life-saving care before she was taken to hospital.
Though she survived, the mother was left paralysed from the neck down, requiring lifelong care as she can no longer independently breathe.
Taylor, from Stretham, Ely, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Monday (25 November), and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at an earlier hearing, Norfolk Police stated.
The teenager has been sentenced to two years and two months behind bars, banned from driving for 40 months, and must pass an extended driving test before getting behind the wheel again.
Catherine's family have since released a statement about her as a person, as someone with a ' great sense of humour and so full of life', and what they have gone through since the accident at the start of 2023.
Her father explained: "I’ll never forget that day when we were told she had been in an accident, and then arriving at the hospital to be facing the reality that we may lose her.
"To hear that my only daughter may not survive was heart-breaking and, as her dad, all I wanted to do was make everything better for her.
“The past 22 months have been traumatic and while I can’t change anything, I hope that by speaking out I can make others aware of what can happen on the roads.
"Catherine’s life was changed in a split second, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone," he said, highlighting that he wants to make her life, and her son's, as comfortable as possible.
Lead investigating officer, Sgt Callum Walchester, said after the sentencing: “This is a deeply tragic case which, like many collisions, could have been entirely avoidable.
“Catherine was a fit and healthy mother who now, as a result of Taylor’s actions, will live out the rest of her life paralysed and requiring lifelong care and support.”
He added that her family have agreed to let her story be one of caution to the British public, further saying: “George Taylor made multiple decisions to use his mobile phone that day and in doing so put himself and everyone else at significant risk. It was Catherine who has paid the price.”
“Please, if you take nothing else from this message, please watch the video and watch how quickly things can change and realise the very real consequences, please, just think,” he urged.
Joshua Nair