Woman who suffered hit and run brain injury secures €1.2m

A young woman who suffered a brain injury after being knocked down by a car in a hit and run incident as she stood talking on a street in New Ross, Co Wexford, has secured €1.2m under a settlement of her High Court action.

Laura Byrne (26), Parkfield, New Ross, was standing with friends on John Street when she was hit by the car. She was thrown into the air and her head hit the windscreen before she fell to the ground. The car left the scene.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine was told the driver had alcohol in his system in excess of the legal limit for driving.

The driver, Karol Chrzan (24), a Polish national with an address at Belleville, New Ross, was later sentenced to three years imprisonment, with six months suspended, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving at John Street, New Ross on June 20th, 2009 causing serious harm to Ms Byrne. He was disqualified from driving for six years.

Wexford Circuit Court heard Chrzan admitted he had been drinking and had consumed about six bottles of beer and some vodka earlier in the day. He told gardaí he left the scene of the accident because he panicked. A Garda told the Circuit Court Chrzan had taken his partner’s car and was not insured.

Ms Byrne sued Chrzan and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland.

Rosario Boyle SC, for Ms Byrne, said her client was aged 21 at the time of the accident and was rushed by ambulance afterwards to Waterford Regional Hospital and later transferred to Cork.

At the time, she had completed the first year of a veterinary science course but had to give it up afterwards becuase of her injuries, counsel said. Ms Byrne still has problems with balance, her left arm is weaker than her right and she has from time to time suffered double vision.

Approving the settlement, Ms Justice Irvine said it was a very good one and, while nothing would compensate Ms Byrne for her injuries, she hoped the extra money would help make life better for her.

Ms Byrne told the judge she was happy the proceedings were at an end.