A drink-driver who ran over a firefighter, pinning him to another vehicle and breaking his legs, has been jailed.
Jill Carvell, aged 61, was almost three times the legal limit when she caused the severe injuries to the life-saving firefighter.
Carvell was in a Dacia Duster when she reversed at speed in Louise Street, Gornal.
She hit the off-duty firefighter, trapping him between her car and a stationary vehicle.
The 55-year-old veteran firefighter, who was just weeks away from retiring, suffered breaks to both of his legs.
He is said to be making a good recovery following the horror crash on Saturday 4 July last year. But has now left the fire service and faces a long period of rehabilitation.
Following the collision, Carvell was arrested, and a breath test showed she had 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – almost three times the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Carvell was interviewed by officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (West Midlands Police) the following day.
She admitted that she had driven dangerously and that she was drunk at the time of the horrific smash.
Carvell, of Osberton Drive, Dudley, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (8 Jan) after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol and causing serious injury due to dangerous driving.
Judge Berlin sentenced her to 18 months in custody and disqualified her from driving for four years and nine months.
On passing sentence, Judge Berlin said that it was ‘necessary to imprison Carvell’ as he believed she posed a ‘danger to the public due to her behaviour’.
Sergeant Mark Crozier of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:
“Once again, this collision highlights the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and the devastating consequences that result from it.
“The firefighter suffered injuries that ended his career and the thoughts of all at West Midlands Police are with him whilst he continues to make a recovery.”
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Another useless sentence, what is wrong with our judges. She should be locked up for 5 years
Sentences are far too lenient