Driver who needed amputation after 100mph car crash: '˜I've been punished for life'

A MAN whose leg had to be amputated after a 100mph horror crash has welcomed the prison sentence given to the man who caused the smash.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Sep 2018, 11:11 BST
Updated 22nd Sep 2018, 12:18 BST
Rusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex PoliceRusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex Police
Rusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex Police

Rusty Brown agreed police should send out this picture to show the extent of the injuries that were caused after Ke Zhou lost control of a high-performance 4x4 Jaguar. 

Read More
'˜Arrogant' driver jailed for 100mph crash that led to victim losing a leg

Mr Brown's right leg below the knee was crushed in the wreckage of his Mitsubishi Shogun. 

Rusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex PoliceRusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex Police
Rusty Brown, who had to have a leg amputated after an accident on the A259 near Bognor in 2017. The man whose car crashed into him, Kevin Zhou, has been jailed for three years Picture: Sussex Police
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Zhou, known as Kevin, ran off from the crash and the next morning reported to work at a car dealership as usual, pretending nothing had happened and that his company-owned car had been stolen.

Speaking to The News about the moment he found out Zhou had fled the crash, Mr Brown - who has worked at Merali Pharmacy in Queen Street for 24 years - said: 'I was both angry and upset.

'Angry because it's just not what you do. Anybody with a shred of humanity would go and see and would try and help.'

Mr Brown said his and his partner Jacqui Denton's lives have been turned upside down and he has had to stop the pursuits he used to enjoy, although he hopes to rebuild his life with a prosthetic leg and take part in cycling, long walks and sport again.

The wreckage of Rusty Brown's car Picture: Sussex PoliceThe wreckage of Rusty Brown's car Picture: Sussex Police
The wreckage of Rusty Brown's car Picture: Sussex Police
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Brown, who tried to pull himself free of the wreckage but was trapped, added: 'The sentence he got was great.

'The sentence will send a message you can't get away with it.'

In a victim personal statement read out by prosecutor Sarah Morris in court, Mr Brown detailed the struggles with his prosthetic leg and the toll it has taken on his partner.

'We've been punished for life,' he said.

Kevin Zhou of Bognor was jailed for three years after his Jaguar, which was being driven at 100mph, collided with a 4x4 driven by Rusty Brown, of Bognor. Mr Brown needed a leg amputation after the crash. Pictures: Sussex policeKevin Zhou of Bognor was jailed for three years after his Jaguar, which was being driven at 100mph, collided with a 4x4 driven by Rusty Brown, of Bognor. Mr Brown needed a leg amputation after the crash. Pictures: Sussex police
Kevin Zhou of Bognor was jailed for three years after his Jaguar, which was being driven at 100mph, collided with a 4x4 driven by Rusty Brown, of Bognor. Mr Brown needed a leg amputation after the crash. Pictures: Sussex police

His partner told The News: 'He will serve his sentence and will come out and rebuild his life - we will have to live with this forever.'

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Beijing-born Zhou, of Summerly Lane, Bognor Regis, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving in the crash on August 17, and failing to stop, report an accident and give information as to the identity of a driver. He was jailed for three years and the judge told him it was a miracle Mr Brown didn't die in the accident on the A259 near Bognor. 

Judge Timothy Mousley QC imposed a four-year ban, extended to cover his time in jail. He must complete an extended retest to regain a licence.

Â