Taxi Driver Online

A taxi driver could hold the key to a better life for drink-drive victim Stephen Patterson.
He was out celebrating his birthday, when he was knocked down in a horrific incident in Sunderland city centre in 2006, which saw him lodged in the wheel arch of the car that hit him.

He was in a coma for a week and was left with serious brain inj
uries.
The 26-year-old now suffers from poor concentration and memory, a quick temper, depression and anxiety.

Four years on, however, the dad-to-be is still fighting an insurance claim which would pay for special treatment to get his life back on track.

The driver who hit him, Martin Goldsmith, of Witton Court, Tunstall, was found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving an unroadworthy vehicle.

Stephen's lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have CCTV evidence but are hoping to trace the driver of a white vehicle, believed to be a taxi, who was at the scene in Green Terrace, 100 yards from the junction of Vine Place, in the early hours of Sunday, February 19 2006. The man was waved on by police.

They say he may be able to provide the conclusive evidence to get Stephen, who now lives in Red House with partner Laura, 20, the support he needs to live a better, more independent life.

"It's been dragging on for four years now and I just want to get it over with and put it behind me. The driver who hit me will want to get on with his life as well," said Stephen.

"I just want to get myself back on track, especially with the baby on the way."

Stephen used to work in dispatch at Unipress, but since the accident has been unable to go back to work. He spends most of his time at home, which he says does not help with his depression.

Experts think a special centre in Yorkshire can help Stephen with his problems, but he said the treatment is expensive and needs money from his claim to fund it.

John Davis, a partner and serious injury specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: "His life has been turned upside-down as a result of this and we have launched legal proceedings to access vital support for Mr Patterson that will give him far more independence and an improved quality of life."

Mr Davis said CCTV images only tell part of the story and the team needs to build up a picture of how Goldsmith was acting immediately before the incident, and urgently need to speak to the driver of the white vehicle.

"He must have been following the vehicle involved in the crash – he could shed some light on the way the driver was behaving and the speed at which he was travelling.

"It was a long time ago but there is no way anybody would have forgotten such a horrific incident."

Anyone with information about the crash should contact John Davis or Kate Nicklin at Irwin Mitchell on 279 0141

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Very sad story it would be good if we could help find taxi driver