Shocking moment man is flung in the air after being ploughed into by hit-and-run driver speeding away from cops
SHOCKING footage shows the moment a man in his 60s is flung into the air after a BMW driver ploughs into him while fleeing police.
The victim had just walked over a pedestrian crossing when Sohail Afzal, 33, mounted the kerb and mowed him down.
Heart-stopping video also shows a couple with a pushchair leap out of the way moments before the BMW careered towards them.
The horrifying crash took place at around 11.30am on November 6 as Afzal sped away from police in Derby.
Officers had attempted to stop the green BMW, which was classed as a “vehicle of interest”, but Afzal drove off along Normanton Road.
During the chase, Afzal lost control at a set of traffic lights which had turned red ahead of the busy Burton Road roundabout.
CCTV shows the victim walking across the pedestrian crossing seconds before he is hit from behind.
The force of the impact sends him somersaulting into the air before landing on his front.
Shockingly, Afzal fails to stop and continues hurtling over the pavement and back onto the road and across the roundabout.
An officer who was in a patrol car behind Afzal is seen sprinting towards the man who was lying face down on the path.
The man was rushed to the Queen‘s Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries but has since been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.
Afzal, of Derby, was arrested hours later and admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and criminal damage to a police vehicle.
He was jailed for two years and banned from driving for three years and four months at Derby Crown Court on November 28.
PC Cameron Spowart, of Derbyshire Police, said: “It is a matter of sheer luck that the victim in this case was not fatally injured.
“He was hit with such force by the BMW that he was propelled into the air, before hitting the ground.
“Afzal showed extreme recklessness and complete disregard for the victim and any other pedestrians that day.
“This was a truly shocking incident which could have quite easily resulted in further casualties.
“I’d like to thank various colleagues from our Roads Policing, Proactive Policing, Armed Response and Safer Neighbourhood teams who worked together seamlessly to ensure that Afzal was detained swiftly before he could cause any further harm.
“My final word goes to the victim who I would like to thank for the courage they have shown in the aftermath of this incident.”