A YOUNG driver took “an appalling risk” in attempting to overtake approaching the crest of an incline, with “tragic consequences” for all concerned.

Michael Liam Shoulder pulled out in his BMW to pass a Toyota vehicle, despite the presence of a solid white line prohibiting overtaking on that stretch of Middridge Road, between Rushyford and Newton Aycliffe, and ignoring ‘slow’ markings of the surface of the carriageway.

Before the manoeuvre was completed, the BMW was involved in a head-on collision with an oncoming Ford Fiesta, at 9.35pm on September 29.

Durham Crown Court heard both vehicles were badly damaged and each driver was badly injured, neither now having any recollection of the collision.

But Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said: “Effectively, at the time he tried to overtake the Toyota, it wasn’t safe to do so.”

Mr Dryden said the Fiesta driver was in an induced coma for four weeks, suffering multiple rib and pelvic fractures, a broken femur, and serious damage to internal organs.

Shoulder suffered fractures to an upper arm and leg, both ankles and a wrist, plus multiple rib fractures.

His girlfriend, a front seat passenger, suffered whiplash injuries and a broken toe.

Shoulder, 22, of Cheviot Walk, Coundon, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The court was told he has taken part in the Restorative Justice scheme, enabling him to meet and apologise to the victim.

Matthew Donkin, mitigating, said: “This was plainly a horrible accident and clearly crosses the custody threshold.

“But he’s a man with no criminal record or history of bad driving, and, what is plain from the Restorative Justice he has gone through, is his deep remorse.

“There was no evidence of excessive speed, or presence of drugs or alcohol. This was simply a short-lived bad error.”

Imposing a 16-month prison sentence, Judge Jonathan Carroll told Shoulder: “Cases such as this, and this case in particular, are an absolute tragedy for all concerned.

“First and fore-most it’s a tragedy for your primary victim, who suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of your driving.

“It’s a tragedy for his family. It’s a tragedy for you, having suffered serious injuries yourself and now facing this sentence. It’s a tragedy for your family.

“It’s a tragedy for all the other road users. All the people who read and see and hear this story and think: ‘There but for the grace of God’, when they are driving to pick up their children.”

“You took an appalling risk, taking into your hands not just your life, but the life of your girlfriend and the other driver.

“This is a tragic case, with tragic outcomes for everyone.”

Shoulder was also banned from driving for 32 months.