Garden City man makes plea to motorists to drive safe

In November 2022 Jimmy Carey, then aged 37 and of Howard Court in Neston, was jailed for three offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He'd led police on a dangerous high-speed chase, in October the previous year, which ended when he tried to overtake a vehicle on the Jubilee Bridge in Flintshire at 90mph.

Carey collided head-on with a taxi, leaving its driver Florin Dumea and his two customers with serious injuries.

Now, more than two-and-a-half years later, Mr Dumea still suffers the consequences of that day and has shared his situation in the hope of making drivers think about what they could inflict on others before getting behind the wheel either under the influence, or otherwise driving unsafely.

The 36-year-old, who lives in Garden City with his wife Tracy, said: "I've still got loads of recovery to go.

"I had my hip replaced again in May last year, which was as a result of the crash.

Florin's vehicle after the crash (Image: Tracy Dumea)"I need surgery for my left foot - it needs a replacement joint - which I'm on a waiting list for.

"And I had a right ankle fusion in August last year. I may have to have a bone replacement in that ankle.

"It's very hard to get about; I can walk a little bit.

"Before this happened, I was very active. I was always outside.

"But now, I've put three stone on in the last three years.

"My biggest problem is my spine; which means I have 74 per cent function with both of my arms, again as a result of the crash."

Mr Dumea said doctors have told him surgery on his spine, if successful, could result in a reduction in his ongoing pain by 10 to 15 per cent.

But it also comes with a possibility of being left paralysed, having a stroke or death.

"For 10 to 15 per cent improvement, that's too risky.

"I still have a lot of pain and also now have arthritis."

He explained the difficulties with his mobility have left him feeling like he's "in a prison."

Mr Dumea explained: "Before this I was working. I could go to the mountains, to the beach - everywhere.

"I went fishing once a week and football once or twice a week.

"Now I'm just within these walls.

"I can manage to go fishing for two or three hours sometimes, but I still have loads of pain and my legs go numb.

Florin in hospital (Image: Tracy Dumea)"When I come home, it's back to the problems, back behind the walls."

Speaking to motorists across north Wales, he said: "Just drive safely - don't do drugs, don't drink, don't use your phone.

"Give it your full attention because you could kill someone, for no reason."

Mr Dumea's wife Tracy added: "People really need to think about how incidents like these impact on families.

"By a stupid mistake, look what's happened to Florin - it could easily have been death.

"I am his full time carer now.

"We're at the point now where I say we have to think about the future because things can only get better.

"It's been a long time since the crash, nearly three years. But it feels longer for us."

Inspector Leigh Evans, North Wales Police’ Roads Crime Unit said: “We are fully committed to help make the roads safer for all and we’ll continue to target those who endanger their own lives and the lives of others. Our teams work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence should know that we will be out and about waiting for them. We will continue to crack down on those who take this unnecessary risk and bring them before the courts.

“I don’t believe people quite grasp the full extent of the danger drink or drug-driving poses. 

"Those that do take the risks clearly don't think about the families of those people who have died or been seriously injured at the hands of a driver who is on high on drugs or drunk.
“We run regular campaigns throughout the year to try and raise awareness of the seriousness

of driving whilst under the influence, so it is disappointing that so many are still breaking the law, despite it being publicly deplored and of course, extremely dangerous.

“We are here to save lives. Drink and drug driving can, and often does, have catastrophic consequences – which our officers, sadly, have seen first-hand. We want you to live and that’s why we do what we do, and we will continue in our efforts to take people who drink and drug drive off the roads of North Wales.”

Police take action against drink and drug-drivers every day of the year. Anybody who has concerns about someone they believe to be driving whilst under the influence are asked to contact police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing an imminent danger) or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.