UK driver struck teen, paralyzed her

A Mini Cooper driver ran over a teenage girl in the residential streets of Letchworth on Sunday, March 18, after he was distracted petting his dog. The 16‑year‑old, identified as Sarah Golden, was found in the middle of the road with her face covered in blood five minutes after the crash. Police said the driver was travelling at a low speed when the vehicle struck Golden, who was then immediately transported to Letchworth General Hospital with a severe spinal injury that left her paralyzed.

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in distracted‑driving cases in the UK, where an estimated 1,400 people die each year from road accidents. Law & Crime reports that the driver had his dog on his lap while driving, a behaviour that has been linked to an increase in road‑related injuries. The local council has already issued a warning to residents about the dangers of pet‑related distractions, citing this crash as a stark reminder of the risks.

Police recovered the Mini Cooper and the driver was taken into custody at the scene. The victim was admitted to the hospital with a fractured spine and is now receiving long‑term care. Golden’s family released a statement calling the