A MAN seriously injured on a pedestrian crossing by a HGV running a red light has welcomed the sentence handed out to the driver who nearly killed him.

Matthew Bloomer spent three weeks in hospital in an induced coma after the crash near Merry Hill shopping centre which left him with a bleed on the brain, a fractured skull, multiple fractures to bones in his face plus nine broken ribs.

Doctors at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital feared the worst but the 23-year-old has battled to overcome his injuries and is now receiving support from serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help secure funds to pay for his rehabilitation.

Lorry driver Lloyd Southall, of Brierley Hill Road, Wordsley, was given a 10-month jail term, suspended for two years, on Friday at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving at Dudley Magistrates’ Court last month.

The 40-year-old father-of-two, who previously had an unblemished driving record, was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to undertake an extended retest.

He must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay £200 costs plus a victim surcharge.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Amjad Nawaz said: "There can be no achievement in sending someone who has lived an unblemished life and had an unblemished driving record but for a few seconds of inattention into immediate custody."

Matthew, who has suffered severe headaches and a greater risk of seizures since the collision, had been on his way to work when he approached the crossing on Pedmore Road on May 18 last year.

As he stepped into the road - when the green man was showing - he was hit by Southall’s lorry.

Matthew, who cannot remember the crash, added: “What was just an ordinary walk to work ended with my life being changed forever because of the actions of the lorry driver.

“The driver being sentenced is a major milestone for me in helping with my recovery.

"I am glad the court recognised the seriousness of the lorry driver’s actions in the sentence the driver received.

“However, more importantly I hope my story acts as a warning to other motorists about the dangers of not paying attention on the roads.

"A momentary lapse can have devastating consequences for other road users and their families as well as the relatives of those who break the law.

“While I know I have challenges ahead I now want to look to the future and concentrate on my recovery.”

Matthew, whose partner Scott drove past the crash moments after it happened and saw Matthew injured in the road, added: “In a way I am glad it was me who was on the crossing that day. It could have just as easily been a lady and her child in a pram or an elderly pedestrian, and then I fear the outcome of survival may not have happened.”

Laura Bailey, expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said Matthew has "made great progress considering the seriousness of his injuries" but still faces a lengthy battle ahead.

She added: "We will continue to work with Matthew and his family to make sure he gets the specialist help and support he needs to help boost his recovery and rehabilitation.”