In a chilling example of the consequences of dangerous driving, a Horsham pedestrian has been left with devastating, life-altering injuries after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident. The collision, which occurred on Rusper Road around 9:30 pm on October 16, 2022, resulted in the victim suffering a fractured skull and severe brain injuries that required intensive and ongoing medical treatment.
The driver, identified as 20-year-old Nasko Naskov, a catering worker from Oak Road, Southwater, initially fled the scene, leaving his victim unconscious on the pavement alongside a scattered suitcase. “I hit him, then I panicked,” Naskov later confessed to the police. His victim, found with his belongings strewn about, was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where he spent six weeks in intensive care. Surgeons were forced to remove part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain and later fitted a titanium plate during a complex surgical procedure.
The gravity of the crime led to a robust investigation by Sussex Police, who used CCTV footage and vehicle fragments found at the scene to locate Naskov. Six days after the incident, police discovered a Ford Fiesta with significant windscreen damage hidden in the back garden of Naskov’s residence.
At Lewes Crown Court on April 18, Naskov admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced to three years in prison. He also received a driving disqualification for six-and-a-half years. Prior to the crash, CCTV captured Naskov driving on the wrong side of the road, and an examination of his vehicle revealed exposed tyre cords, further indicating his reckless behavior on the road.
The victim, whose name has been withheld, shared the profound impact the incident has had on his life, affecting his memory, speech, language, and overall brain function. “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,” he said. He also expressed disappointment over the driver’s lack of remorse, which he believes should be met with a substantial driving ban to reflect the severity of the incident and its life-changing consequences.
Sussex Police shared this story to highlight the destructive impact of dangerous driving, which remains one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities on the roads.
