A 19 year-old student from Norwich who was hit by a driver has revealed his miraculous escape from death and his disappointment at the lenient sentence given.

Motorcyclist, Kyle Funnell was waiting at a roundabout on his way to college on 6 February when he was suddenly struck by a VW Golf from behind. Kyle hit the windscreen of the car and was launched into the fast lane of the A12 motorway.

Emergency services arrived expecting to be dealing with a death but they managed to get Kyle onto a stretcher and taken to James Paget University Hospital where he was treated for injuries to his shoulders and neck. The drivers of the other two vehicles involved were also taken to hospital.

Drink driving

The driver of the Golf was 25 year-old factory worker, Taurius Lekavicius. Prior to the accident he had finished work at 5 am and decided to have an alcoholic drink.

Alcohol was detected by the police officer at the scene straight away and Mr Lekavicius admitted immediately that he had been drinking and said that he was responsible for the accident. He was two times over the legal limit.

Kyle says his beloved bike, a Honda 125XL was a write off but because the driver was not insured he is having to pay for repair work on the bike including a recovery bill of £150 and a £50 disposal cost.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday how Mr Lekavicius was pleading guilty to drink-driving as well as driving with no insurance.

Today, during sentencing, Lead Magistrate Ms Louise Barber said that the driver had disregarded members of the public but despite the seriousness of the incident his previously guilty plea and formerly good character meant that a jail term was not necessary.

He was given an 8 week sentence suspended for 12 months; he is banned from driving and has been ordered to do community service for 200 hours. Kyle Funnell said that he didn’t feel justice had been served, adding: “It seems like he’s got off free considering what he could have done.”