Leigh Kuehnel from Newbury jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving at Oxford Crown Court

A woman had to be resuscitated at the roadside and spent four months in intensive care after she was hit by a van driven by a Newbury man.

And following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, the man has now been jailed for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving in Oxford.

Leigh Kuehnel, aged 47, of Elizabeth Avenue, was jailed for two years and two months following a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (May 24).

He was also banned from driving for three years and four months and was ordered to take an extended driving test before he can apply for his licence back.

Kuehnel was previously found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving by majority jury verdict following a three-day trial at the same court that concluded on April 24.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug over the specified limit, namely cocaine and benzoylecgonine.

On August 4, 2022, Kuehnel drove a van towards Oxford and missed his turning into Osberton Road.

Instead of finding a safe place to turn around Keuhnel reversed back up a main road and collided with a pedestrian on Woodstock Road.

The victim, a woman in her eighties, suffered serious injuries and had to be resuscitated at the roadside.

She then spent four months in the intensive care unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Senior investigating officer Sgt Dominic Mahon, of the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Leigh Kuehnel chose to drive that evening, knowing he had consumed cocaine and alcohol.

“When he missed his turning, he chose to reverse even though he couldn’t see behind him.

“His dangerous choices almost cost a woman her life, and she will sadly never fully recover from the terrible injuries he caused her.

“Drink and drug driving ruins lives, and it could cost you your freedom or even your life.

“It’s not worth the risk.”