Watch: Teenage driver inhales laughing gas seconds before hitting pedestrian

Greater Manchester Police

A teenage driver who hit a pedestrian after taking laughing gas has been jailed.

CCTV footage shows Louisa Tunstall inhaling nitrous oxide through a balloon at the wheel of her Fiat 500 in Wigan in May last year.

She lost control of the car seconds later and veered into a 51-year-old woman walking on the pavement, seriously injuring her.

The 19-year-old was jailed for one year and eight months at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday for possession of a Class C drug, driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

She was also disqualified from driving for two years and eight months and ordered to take an extended test when she is released.

The court heard Tunstall had been driving on Newton Road in the village of Lowton on May 24 at 7pm when she swerved to the left onto the pavement.

After colliding with the woman, the car overturned and caused life-changing injuries to her.

In the aftermath of the crash, footage inside a patrol car shows a police officer telling Tunstall there is a suggestion she had been using the controlled drug.

Tunstall stays silent in the video and can be seen looking away and fiddling with her fingers.

She initially told officers she took her eyes off the road to retrieve something in the footwell, before later admitting she had been out to buy nitrous oxide to use that evening.

The victim is still recovering from the injuries sustained to her leg, the court heard.

In her victim impact statement, she said: “Every night I go for a walk and use the same route. I usually walk with my daughter. However, this evening I was walking alone.

“When all of a sudden, I was banged into from behind, which caused me to fall to the floor.

“I remember lying on the floor and looking down at my left leg and seeing blood dripping down. I looked up and saw a white car on its side.

“I do not remember feeling any pain at the time. I was shouting for help, I felt like I was whispering, it didn’t seem real.”

She added: “When I go past the scene of the collision in the car as a passenger, I now have to cover my eyes as I can’t bring myself to look where it happened.”

Greater Manchester Police’s Roads Policing Unit said the use of nitrous oxide had become a recurring factor in incidents it attends.

Pc Stefan Bielizna, who dealt with the investigation, said: “It is clear to see the catastrophic effects the actions of Tunstall have had on the victim.

“The victim’s bravery and support in this case to enable to pursue a prosecution should be commended and we hope she can continue her recovery safe in the knowledge that justice has been served.

“It was made clear by the judge that drivers under the influence of nitrous oxide, like in this case, will be given time behind bars if they choose to get behind the wheel.

“Being in possession and especially under the influence of nitrous oxide has similar effects to other drugs and can severely impair your capability to drive.

“There is no excuse for taking other people’s lives into your hands due to the reckless and selfish behaviours that Tunstall has shown.”

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