Brave mum left disabled after saving baby from speeding drink driver hit-and-run

24 October 2023 , 10:08

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Becky Sharp in hospital following the hit-and-run (Image: ITV Meridian)

One brave mum was left disabled after she saved her baby from a speeding drink driver in a horrific hit and run.

Becky Sharp pushed her ten-month-old baby’s pram out of the way of a drink driver in an SUV, in Bournemouth. She was left with horrific injuries, with loved ones fearing she may not survive, and later said the crash turned her life upside down ever since. A Crown Court judge described the 36-year-old as “heroic” after her actions, which led to her sustaining life-threatening injuries.

The mum was left in a coma for two months with a brain injury. Dale Clark, 38, was speeding in his Toyota Rav-4 when he hit her shortly after 9am, on April 11, 2023. He initially denied he was over the drink drive limit and fled the scene, leaving the mum lying in the middle of the road.

But one witness memorised Clark’s number plate, before rushing to help Becky. When officers arrested Clark several hours later, he was still over the alcohol limit - but lied and claimed he had been at the pub following the hit and run. Faced with what the Crown Prosecution Service described as “overwhelming evidence”, Clark changed his plea on day one of his trial at Pool Magistrates’ Court.

Becky Sharp speaking to media outside Bournemouth Crown Court after recovering (BNPS)

Having pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, Clark was sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment yesterday at Bournemouth Crown Court. He was also banned from driving for six years, with an extension period of one year and 10 months.

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Speaking to ITV Meridian, Becky said: "I felt like I really needed to be here to find out what happened. I'd heard about it from Dan, but it was good to hear it from the solicitors. Not about Dale Clark but about drink driving, it's not good for anyone involved. My life has been turned upside down because of it, and his life has been turned upside down because of it, but basically just don't drink or do drugs and then drive. It's not a good message to send out, and the outcome is never good."

Becky’s husband Dan said his “whole world was shattered” when he found out his wife was fighting for her life. He had been working when his father-in-law broke the horrific news to him. He had to explain to their children that he didn’t know when their mum would be coming home but since, Becky is reportedly to be making a good recovery. Miraculously, Becky’s youngest daughter, who was in the pram at the time, wasn’t hurt in the incident.

Becky and her husband Dan (ITV Meridian)

Andrew Coley, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: “This incident has shattered the lives of Mrs Sharp and her family. It is especially shocking that when Clark saw Mrs Sharp on the ground with her young child nearby, he chose not to stop and instead left her for dead.

“The CPS worked closely with Dorset Police to build a solid case against Clark – using CCTV evidence to disprove his false claims that he was not above the legal drink drive limit at the time of the collision. Our thoughts are with Mrs Sharp and her family, and we wish her all the best in her recovery.”

Kieren Williams