Dangerous driver jailed after Horsham hit-and-run
Nasko Naskov, 20, failed to stop after hitting a male pedestrian in October 2022
A dangerous driver's been jailed after causing a pedestrian life-changing injuries in a hit-and-run in Horsham.
Nasko Naskov collided with another man on Rusper Road at 9:30pm on 16 October 2022.
Naskov's victim was left in intensive care for six weeks with a fractured skull.
His victim still requires ongoing treatment for life-changing brain injuries, including damage to his memory, speech, language and brain function.
Naskov drove away after the collision, and did not report it to officers.
He was arrested on 22 October 2022, with officers finding a Ford Fiesta with significant windscreen damage in the back garden of his home.
Whilst being questioned by officers, Naskov later said "I hit him, then I panicked."
Naskov, 20, of Oak Road, Southwater, admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was jailed for three years on 18 April during a hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
Naskov has also been disqualified from driving for six-and-a-half years.
Speaking about the incident, Naskov's victim says it "has had a serious impact on every aspect" of his life.
"I try not to think about the person who did this to me, but it is frustrating that he had a ‘no comment’ police interview, leaving me with unanswered questions about why this happened.
"It has delayed my ability to find closure as a result.
"This to me, indicates a lack of remorse on his part, which, combined with the severity of the incident, should result in a sizeable ban from driving that keeps him off the road for a significant length of time, and forces him to reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes."
Speaking after the case, investigating officer PC Anastasia Wellfare from the Roads Policing Unit said:
"The victim in this case suffered a life-changing injury from which he is still recovering more than two years later. He and his family have shown tremendous strength, patience, and courage throughout this lengthy investigation.
"Our investigation showed Naskov driving on the wrong side of the road moments before the collision.
"The investigation concluded that this collision was caused as a result of both Naskov’s dangerous driving behaviour and the dangerous condition of the vehicle he was driving.
"He was lucky not to have caused a fatality that night.
"We know that speeding is the cause of one in three collisions on our roads, and we know that dangerous, careless and anti-social driving are also main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured.
"This month, my colleagues and I are carrying out additional patrols as part of the NPCC Fatal Five campaign. This raises awareness of factors which cause fatal and serious injury collisions.
"The factors are: Drink and drug-driving, driving at excess speed, not wearing a seatbelt, being distracted while driving such as by using a mobile phone, and dangerous driving, careless or anti-social driving.
"This case shows the devastating consequences of dangerous driving, and it shows our determination to catch offenders and bring them to justice."