TEENAGER Lucy Sturgess, 18, waited for more than a year for justice.

One year wasn’t long enough to forget the trauma, pain and struggle she endured after she was left with life-long injuries in a hit-and-run crash.

Darriel Rupare, 21, was behind the wheel of a car without insurance or a valid licence when he was involved in a collision with Lucy’s motorcycle in Colchester in March last year.

After she was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Lucy underwent surgery to irrigate her wounds, which included an open fracture and severe damage to her foot and ankle.

She is now considering having part of her leg amputated due to the constant pain she lives with.

In April last year, Lucy underwent her third operation to determine whether she would need pins or metal plates in her foot.

Gazette: Lucy Sturgess suffered serious injuries in the incidentLucy Sturgess suffered serious injuries in the incident

Lucy, who lives in Colchester, said: “The crash left me with shards of metal and paint in my foot which surgeons removed during the first operation I had.”

There is a chance Lucy will not be able to walk unaided again due to the severity of her injuries.

In the month following the crash, she said: “I still have no feeling in my left foot.

“There is a likelihood I will be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, or have to use crutches.

“I have been told it is quite likely I won’t be able to walk unaided again.”

Rupare, of Lapwing Lane, Stockport, had denied charges of driving without due care and attention, driving without insurance or a valid licence, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident to the police.

But he changed his pleas to guilty on the day of his trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The court record revealed magistrates felt only a custodial sentence would suffice due to the serious injury caused.

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Following the sentence, Lucy said she has “mixed emotions” about the final court hearing.

She had previously attended magistrates’ court expecting to have to give evidence during a trial.

“To be honest I have really mixed emotions about the final court hearing,” she said.

“I’m glad that it’s over and we have a result, but on the flip side it doesn’t take away any of the trauma, pain, or struggle that I still battle tirelessly every day.”

Lucy says she still struggles with her mobility 17 months on from the crash.

“The integrity of my scar is compromised so I need more surgeries to hopefully alleviate some of the challenging symptoms," she said. 

“I am still under multiple specialists and have frequent calls, appointments, letters and emails.

“It feels like a nightmare that’ll never end.”

Lucy has little sympathy for Rupare, who she says has left her life “forever hindered”.

“Mr Rupare actually apologised to me which I think was the hardest part,” she said.

“He wasn’t sorry when he left me in the road to bleed out like roadkill.

“He wasn’t sorry when he put me through this trial and originally pleaded not guilty when he knew he was at fault.

“What part of that behaviour convinces anybody that he’s genuinely sorry?

“My life will forever be hindered by this man’s careless actions, but it’s now down to me to make the best of what I’ve got.

“I am mourning the life that I could’ve had, whilst trying to embrace the life that I’m left with.”