A speeding driver who collided with a wall and fled the scene, leaving three passengers seriously injured, has been jailed.
Drew Philippidis, aged 25 and of Windsoredge in Nailsworth, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The court heard how Philippidis had been at a pub in Minchinhampton on the evening of 9 August 2024 and was overheard telling a group of people he was going to show them how fast his car could go.
At around 11.30pm he left the pub and drove off with four passengers in his Seat Leon.
CCTV footage showed the vehicle leaving the town at high speed and a witness reported that Philippidis almost collided with her vehicle.
The passengers in the car said they pleaded with Philippidis to slow down, but he ignored them and continued to drive at a dangerous speed.
Moments later, Philippidis lost control of the car and collided with a wall at the junction of Butt Street and Cirencester Road.
Immediately after the impact, Philippidis fled from the scene, leaving the four passengers inside the wreckage. Three of them were seriously injured.
Members of the public helped the injured occupants before emergency services arrived and all four passengers were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Officers searched the area for Philippidis with assistance from the dog unit and the National Police Air Service but he was not located until the following morning.
He was then arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
In custody Philippidis was interviewed twice by officers and asked to give his version of events but he declined to comment on both occasions.
He was released on bail pending enquiries and, following further investigation, Philippidis was charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in May this year (2025). He then pleaded guilty to the charges.
Before Philippidis was sentenced, the court heard victim impact statements read by the passengers who were injured in the collision.
One of them, who was 17-years-old at the time, required extensive surgery to stabilise his spine and can no longer pursue his dream of playing rugby professionally due to the injuries he sustained that night.
He said: “Moments before the accident we were all screaming frantically at the driver to slow down and stop the car, all of which he ignored.
“The impact of the collision has been huge for me both mentally and physically, and it has required huge determination to fully recover physically.
“The fact that Philippidis ran away from the scene not knowing whether we were dead or alive and did not call emergency services shows the type of person that he is.”
A woman in her 20s also sustained series injuries in the collision and was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she spent a week in intensive care following major spinal surgery to repair broken vertebrae.
She said: “The moments leading up to the crash are etched in my memory. The sheer terror inside the vehicle is something I cannot erase.
“Despite our repeated pleas for the driver to slow down, we were ignored. I watched as the wall drew closer, feeling utterly powerless – these images replay in my mind relentlessly.
I relive it in flashbacks, in nightmares – it consumes me and does not go away.
“This incident has had a huge impact on my life. I carry mental and physiological scars for which I continue to receive counselling and support for and will do for some time to come.
“I later learned that the break in my neck was just 2mm away from my spinal cord – meaning I came incredibly close to being paralysed.”
A third victim, who was also aged 17 at the time of the incident said: “Our pleas for Philippidis to slow down were ignored and he just went faster and more out of control, driving dangerously. He was gambling with our lives like it meant nothing.”
Philippidis also read out a letter he had written to the victims. In it he apologised for “the harm he had inflicted on them” and expressed his regret at “not being there that night to support them”.
As well as being handed a 34-month prison sentence on Tuesday 19 August, Philippidis was also banned from driving for 47 months. He will be required to take an extended re-test after that time.
Officer in the case PC Chris Horwood-Jones said: “I hope this sentence brings some closure for the victims and their families and goes to show that the courts will act positively against drivers who wilfully disregard traffic regulations and cause serious injuries to other people.
“This crash was horrific and has had long-lasting effects on these young people, leaving some with both severe physical and psychological suffering.
“Philippidis left the scene without a care for his injured passengers and evaded police to avoid the consequences of his actions.
“The victims have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of such adversity and must now rebuild their lives as a result of Philippidis’ utter disregard for road safety.”
If you suspect someone of driving carelessly or dangerously, report it to us. If the incident is ongoing and there is a risk to the public, call us on our emergency 999 line.
For all other incidents, call our non-emergency 101 line or report online via our website: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/
