“It doesn’t make sense to me, if someone gets hurt you stop and help”: Driver caused serious injuries to off-duty officer before leaving scene

“The driver knows how hard he hit me in their car and that medically I was in serious trouble but they just left me there in the road. I cannot fathom that out, it doesn’t make sense to me. We’re all human beings and if someone gets hurt, you stop and help.”

Those are the words of Police Constable Steve Clarke who was left with serious injuries after being hit by a car while he was cycling home from work during the early hours of 25 July 2020. The driver left the scene.

PC Clarke, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, suffered injuries including a broken bone in his neck, fractures to his spine, pelvis and right leg and several fractured ribs which punctured both his lungs.

Today (Tuesday), at Leicester Crown Court, Vincent Wilson, 32 was sentenced to two years imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to causing the serious injury of the officer by dangerous driving. He has also been disqualified from driving for a total of four years.

Vincent Wilson

 

PC Clarke had been cycling home after finishing his shift when he was involved in the collision at around 3.18am with a grey Audi RS3 in St John, Enderby, near the Foxhunter roundabout junction with Blaby Road and Enderby Road.

The Audi car left the scene of the incident shortly afterwards.

PC Clarke’s bicycle was illuminated at the time of the incident and a rucksack he was wearing was made entirely of reflective material.

PC Clarke was taken to hospital by ambulance following the collision where he remained for five weeks undergoing surgery and treatment.

A full investigation was carried out by the force including analysis of the scene, vehicle checks, CCTV checks and a public appeal for information.

Later on during the day of 25 July 2020, Wilson, of Red Hill Avenue, Leicester, attended a police station leading to his arrest. He was later released under investigation while enquiries continued.

This led to him being charged in August 2021 and he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Leicester Crown Court in January this year.

After being discharged from hospital, PC Clarke remained off work while recovering until January 2021 when he returned to his role on a restricted basis at Hinckley Road police station.

Full support was provided to PC Clarke and his family following the incident and throughout the investigation while welfare support was also provided to officers and staff in force.

PC Clarke (right) pictured when he returned to work with PC Matt Eld (left)

 

PC Clarke added: “Even though I am still very upset that the driver didn’t stop, I’m no longer angry about it. I don’t hold any grievance towards them, it’s not how I live my life.

Speaking about his time in hospital following the incident, he said: “I felt like I couldn’t do anything. It was awful, absolutely awful. I was distressed and angry at what had happened. I couldn’t be with my family while in hospital and I thought my career and hobbies were gone too. I’ve been a police officer for 21 years and I love my job. Being a police officer means I do a job where I can help people and make their lives better.”

More than 20 months on from the incident and while PC Clarke is back at work, he remains undergoing physiotherapy and may have to have further medical treatment in the future depending on his recovery. He also remains under treatment to manage scar tissue to his right leg.

He said: “Whether or not I will get back to the frontline of policing is yet to be seen and will depend on my continued recovery. In my eyes, being a frontline police officer is still up in the air. I’ve got to wait and see. While my heart and mind tell me I will be, I simply don’t know. Because of the collision, my future now seems a little uncertain.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Paul Hawkins said: “Wilson’s actions left one of our colleagues in hospital with serious injuries. Wilson could have stayed at the scene to help PC Clarke but instead he chose to drive away before handing himself in at a police station later that day, some 14 hours later.

“This was a difficult case for many involved in the investigation due to the victim being a friend and colleague and my thanks go to all involved for their professionalism and dedication from those who attended the initial scene to those who assisted with the subsequent investigation. Thank you also to the members of the public who came forward to us with information to assist us in our enquiries.

“I am pleased that PC Clarke has recovered well enough from the incident to be back at work and I wish him all the best in his ongoing recovery.”