Exclusive:Ex-taxi driver who left Sheffield teen Logan Collins fighting for life after horror crash walks free
A former taxi driver who ran over a teenager walking home with Mothers Day flowers has avoided jail - despite leaving the Sheffield boy fighting for life.
Logan Collins was just 15-years-old when he was hit by a car being driven by Samer Albadoui near Asda at Manor Top.
He was left with life-changing injuries that are so serious another knock to the head could prove fatal.
Logan was placed into a nine-day coma and underwent multiple neurosurgical operations in order to ease the pressure on his brain and have metal plates fitted after the collision.
The kind-hearted teen was returning from a trip to Asda to buy flowers for his mum for Mothers Day, when Albadoui ran him over.
Dashcam footage taken from Albadoui’s vehicle showed Logan would have been “clearly visible” for between six and seven seconds when the crash occurred, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Despite this, Albadoui, of South View Road, Nether Edge, Sheffield, failed to notice Logan as he crossed Ridgeway Road and ran straight into the teen, without braking or taking any evasive action.
Handing Albadoui a sentence of 21 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, Judge Charles Thomas told him: “He was in full view ahead of you. You did not react in any way at all to his presence in the road.
“You drove, effectively, straight at him.”
More than two years on from the horror crash on March 9, 2024, and Logan is still beset by a variety of problems which stem from the traumatic head injury he suffered.
They include memory issues which are expected to continue for the rest of his life and poor balance which makes climbing stairs difficult and is likely to limit employment options.
He also suffers emotional lability issues and poor self-esteem arising from a “dent” to his head he has been left with following the crash.
Judge Thomas told the court that Logan had been a keen motocross rider and football player, but with the potential for any further head injuries to prove fatal, he will be forced to remain a spectator for the rest of his life.
He suggested it was of concern to the court that Albadoui, who was previously employed as an Uber taxi driver, still refuses to acknowledge the serious impact of the crash.
“In your pre-sentence report, when you spoke to the probation officer, you were unable to discuss or refused to acknowledge the harm you had caused to that boy when she asked you to describe the impact,” the judge said.
“You could not understand that and did not see why you had to be punished.
“As I’ve said, he was caused a number of serious injuries because of your driving,” Judge Thomas added.
Sentencing Albadoui for the offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which he admitted to at an earlier hearing, Judge Thomas said he felt able to suspent the prison sentence due to his “realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and mitigating factors.
They include Albadoui’s dependents, his four young children and brother-in-law, who would be detrimentally affected by his incarceration; Albadoui’s clean criminal record and driving licence, and the fact he remained at the scene after the crash.
Judge Thomas also ordered Albadoui, aged 32, to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, with the latter sanction intended to help him appreciate the impact of his offending.
Albadoui was also banned from driving for 18 months, after which time he will be required to take an extended driving test.