A hit and run driver has been jailed for three years after leaving a man for dead in the street.
Nasko Naskof, also known as Nasko Naskov, smashed into electronics engineer Mads Vallestad, 30. Mr Vallestad was taken to intensive care with a fractured skull.
Sussex Police said: “It left him requiring ongoing treatment for brain injuries which have had a life-changing impact.”
Naskof, who turns 21 on Thursday (25 April), said: “I hit him then I panicked.”
The 20-year-old catering worker, of Oak Road, Southwater, pleaded guilty causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
And at Lewes Crown Court last Thursday (18 April) Judge Stephen Mooney jailed him for three years and banned him from driving for six and a half years.
Mr Vallestad was walking home when Naskof crashed into him in Rusper Road, Horsham, at about 9.30pm on Sunday 16 October 2022.
Sussex Police said: “He was found unconscious on the pavement along with a suitcase he was carrying. His other suitcase was located 200 metres away and had been dragged along by Naskof’s vehicle.
“Paramedics rushed the victim to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, where he remained in intensive care for six weeks.
“Part of his skull had to be removed to relieve pressure on his brain and he has since required complicated surgery to fit a titanium plate.
“Naskof left the scene of the crash and did not report the collision.
“Two fragments of his vehicle were found at the scene and from CCTV inquiries officers were able to track him down.
“When they went to arrest him on Saturday 22 October 2022, they found a Ford Fiesta concealed in the back garden of his home with significant windscreen damage.
“Officers investigating the vehicle found the tyre cords were exposed, leaving the vehicle in a dangerous state at the time of the collision.
“CCTV prior to the collision also showed Naskof driving on the wrong side of the road.
“In a statement, the victim described the ongoing life-changing effects the crash has had on him.
“It has impacted his memory, speech, language and brain function, injuries from which he is still recovering.”
Mr Vallestad said: “This incident has had a serious impact on every aspect of my life.
“I try not to think about the person who did this to me but it is frustrating that he had a ‘no comment’ police interview, leaving me with unanswered questions about why this happened.
“It has delayed my ability to find closure as a result.
“This to me, indicates a lack of remorse on his part which, combined with the severity of the incident, should result in a sizeable ban from driving that keeps him off the road for a significant length of time, and forces him to reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes.”
After the case, investigating officer PC Anastasia Wellfare, from the Roads Policing Unit, said: “The victim in this case suffered a life-changing injury from which he is still recovering.
“He and his family have shown tremendous strength, patience and courage throughout this lengthy investigation.
“Our investigation showed Naskof driving on the wrong side of the road moments before the collision.
“The investigation concluded that this collision was caused as a result of both Naskof’s dangerous driving behaviour and the dangerous condition of the vehicle he was driving.
“He was lucky not to have caused a fatality that night.
“We know that speeding is the cause of one in three collisions on our roads and we know that dangerous, careless and anti-social driving are also main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured.
“This case shows the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and it shows our determination to catch offenders and bring them to justice.”
