Drug driver who crashed into car with toddler inside after taking cocaine and downing bottles of lager and whisky is jailed for 14 months

A drug driver who crashed into a car with a 20-month-old baby inside after he took cocaine and downed bottles of lager and whisky, has been jailed for 14 months. 

Kyle Zelinka, 23, was driving a Renault Clio with three friends inside when he crashed into another car in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on August 14. 

The provisional licence holder failed to give way at a junction and drove straight into the path of a Nissan Juke, Durham Crown Court court heard. 

The Nissan, driven by a woman with her partner and a 20-month-old baby, was spun around 180-degrees with the impact deploying its air bags.  

In her impact statement read to the court, the victim said she felt her life stopped at the time of the collision, fearing her partner and child may have been killed.

She said she no longer feels safe in vehicles and the effect of the crash has had an impact both on her physical and mental health.

In the wake of the collision, she has not had a full nights sleep and has been off work, while her son has been left traumatised, waking up crying and refusing to get back into a car.

Zelinkas Renault careered off the road and collided with two parked cars nearby. 

Both vehicles in the collision suffered extensive damage.

Kyle Zelinka, 23, was driving a Renault Clio with three friends inside when he crashed into another car in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on August 14

Cole Cockburn, prosecuting, said one passenger in the Renault suffered a head injury, while the Nissan driver said she was left with a ringing noise in her head from the collision.

The Nissan driver required hospital treatment for swellings and pain in both knees, plus other injuries to her right arm and back, a sprain to her right ankle and bruising to her stomach.

She said she still recalls her young son in the back of the car screaming after the crash, and she has been unable to pick him up and look after him as normal due to her injuries.

Zelinka was described as appearing impaired by drink or drugs and was aggressive immediately after the collision, blaming the Nissan driver for not stopping.

He was arrested and gave a positive drug wipe and roadside breath test.

But, Mr Cockburn said by the time a more formal test was conducted two-and-a-half hours later, at the police station, the alcohol reading was very marginally under the drink drive limit.

When interviewed later he apologised and said he had not realised he should have stopped at the junction.

He told police he had drunk six bottles of strong lager, with two or three whiskies, and had taken cocaine before driving, conceding he was aware he should not have been driving.  

Zelinka, of Station Road, Shotton Colliery, admitted dangerous driving, driving not in accordance with the licence and without insurance, when he appeared before magistrates four days later, since then he has been remanded in custody.

The provisional licence holder failed to give way at a junction and drove straight into the path of a Nissan Juke, Durham Crown Court court heard (pictured: Durham Crown Court)

He was also fined by magistrates two days after the crash, for a drug driving offence committed in May this year.

Calum McNicholas, in mitigation, conceded it may only be by, the grace of God, that the defendant was not facing more serious charges given the potential outcome of the collision.

Mr McNicholas said in comparison with his immediate reaction at the scene on the night, he has now accepted full responsibility and is remorseful, stating that he wants to lead a good life in future and make the most of his time in prison learning trade work skills.

He said: Hopefully, the boy who walked into prison may be different from the man who walks out.

Judge Richard Bennett told Zelinka: You were driving when you were only a provisional licence holder and you failed to stop at a junction.

Its clear you were travelling at a reckless speed approaching that junction.

You collided with a vehicle containing a 20-month-old child. Both vehicles were extensively damaged.

Shortly before you got behind the wheel of that car you had consumed a large amount of alcohol and taken cocaine.

Immediately after the collision you were aggressive and sought to blame the other driver for a collision that entirely your fault.

You had made a clear decision to ignore the rules of the road with complete disregard for other people and those in your own vehicle.

Judge Bennett said to his credit he does seem to now acknowledge his reckless actions, having placed other road users and pedestrians at potential risk.

Imposing a 14-month prison sentence, the judge also banned Zelinka from driving for 31 months.

The defendant must then sit an extended driving test if he wants to legally take to the road in future.