Mercedes driver told police ‘it was me’ after causing ‘devastation’ after funeral

Anthony Campbell left three young victims seriously injured in what he called “a bad day from start to finish.”

A Mercedes driver told police “I felt scared, but what can I do?” having caused “devastation” after his best friend’s funeral. Anthony Campbell left his three young victims, who were driving towards McDonald’s after also attending a pub wake, seriously injured when he ran a red light and crashed into his Audi at speeds of up to 70mph.

As a result, a man suffered a brain hemorrhage, while a woman and a teenage care worker suffered a fractured pelvis. The banned driver, who had walked free from court for a motorcycle chase with officers a few months earlier, has now called the episode “a bad day from start to finish.”

Liverpool Crown Court I heard yesterday, Tuesday, that Campbell had attended a funeral on October 11 last year, as well as the subsequent wake at the Crown pub in wide. Also present were Ciara Morgan, 18, Olivia Smith, 21, and Ellis Hayes, 23, who left the premises around 11.30pm.

Joanne Maxwell, prosecuting, described how the teenager had to take them to McDonald’s before dropping her two passengers home. But, while traveling along Birchfield Road towards Kingsway, his Audi was struck to the left side by a Mercedes A45 AMG, driven by Campbell, while passing through a green light and crashing into a lamppost.

As a result, the back seat occupant, Mr Hayes, suffered fractures to his ribs, collarbone and spine, as well as suffering a brain bleed. He was also said to have suffered a seizure while unconscious inside the car and remained in hospital until October 16.

Meanwhile, Mrs Smith, who was sitting in the front seat, suffered two fractures to the left side of her pelvis. This college senior, accounting firm receptionist, and “snowboarder” was forced to need help from her family just to shower and get dressed.

He added in a statement read in court on his behalf: “Every night I think about this collision we walked away from and how it could have been so much worse. We were lucky to survive.”

Driver Morgan suffered a fractured sacrum and a broken nose, as well as being treated for hypothermia due to the amount of time she spent lying on the road after the accident. The healthcare assistant, who has to drive to appointments with her clients, said in her own statement: “I am worried that I will not be able to get behind the wheel again. I feel that the psychological damage caused by this accident will disappear.” It will take much longer to heal, if anything.”

Campbell, of Abbey Close in Widnes, was seen fleeing the scene of the collision but then called Cheshire Police himself about 90 minutes later. During this call, the 26-year-old confessed to having been the driver of the Mercedes but refused to surrender.

However, he was tracked down to a hotel and arrested, at which point he told officers: “I’ve been fined for dangerous driving. I’m banned. I’m not bothered by the whole getting robbed thing.”

“Last night I told them on the phone: I know what I’ve done. You know me, I would run from anything. But I called them and told them: look, it’s me. I’m not going to deny it.” I felt proud of what I’ve done, but what can I do? Do you know what I mean?”

While being transported into custody, Campbell began complaining of pain and became “aggressive and abusive.” After being taken to hospital, the father told a nurse that he had been traveling at 110 km/h and was not wearing a seat belt at the time.

However, it was discovered that he had only suffered minor injuries and was discharged. Campbell has a total of seven previous convictions for 23 offences, including an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years by the same court in April 2024 for dangerous driving.

This occurred after a chase with the police at one point when he was riding a motorcycle with a passenger. He continued his efforts to escape even after a stinger punctured his tires.

Carmel Wilde, defending, told the court: “Although he very foolishly fled the scene in a panic, he realized he should do the right thing and contact the police. Of course, he should then have handed himself in to the police. “. Fortunately, they located him through his phone.

“He made it clear, in his own language, that he felt remorse for what happened, and that he should. The defendant will no doubt reflect further on the devastation he has caused.

“He describes it as a bad day from start to finish. He was attending the funeral of his best friend, a 24-year-old friend who had hanged himself. Understandably, everyone at the funeral was comforting each other and drinking, but not him. He’s not someone who He usually drinks or takes drugs.

“He knew the victims and, in fact, they were sitting with him at the wake. They were all simply paying their respects to a young man that day. The defendant had not been drinking. His friend was going to drive his car, but he had been drinking. His foolish decision may have been affected by the fact that he suffers from ADHD.

“He certainly accepts that he was driving over the speed limit and that he must have run a red light for the collision to occur. Clearly he has not learned his lesson.

“His partner is having a baby in February. Because of his actions, he will not be able to be a role model and father to his son. He also has another young son, with another partner. These are the people who will suffer the most because of his shameful actions.”

Campbell admitted three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and breaching a suspended sentence order. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he sat with his arms crossed as he was jailed for three years and four months and banned from driving for a total of four years and four months.

Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: “You were driving well above the speed limit, according to your own admission to hospital, at around 70mph, and paying little or no attention to the conditions. The collision was massive and sent his car across the road.” roadway and collided with a lamppost.

“The three occupants of that Audi vehicle were seriously injured. You, cowardly and paying no attention to the needs of anyone but yourself, fled the scene. The most seriously injured was Ellis Hayes. You will have a slow recovery and a long rehabilitation of these injuries.

“Your remorse does not carry much weight given that you have persistently ignored court orders. You have consistently ignored the rules of the road. In my opinion, you run a substantial risk of causing further serious harm by driving dangerously.”