Footage shows lorry driver causing horrific crash that left motorist's legs dangling out of window

A lorry driver has been jailed for causing a horrific crash near Canterbury which left his injured victim's legs dangling out his car's front window.

Lithuanian Vygantas Stanulis, 55, admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after he smashed into traffic on the coast-bound carriageway of the A2 towards Dover during morning rush hour on 19 January.

Stanulis' Mercedes, which was fully laden with steel, collided into the stationary Ford Fiesta at 50mph, resulting in the vehicle ramming into an Iveco flatbed lorry carrying wooden pallets in front.

The driver of the Fiesta, a man in his 20s, suffered multiple injuries including a fractured skull, two fractured vertebrae, a fractured ankle, knee and shin bone and facial injuries.

Horrific footage of the crash shows how the impact made the man fly forward, resulting in his legs hanging out of the car window.

Stanulis originally denied the charges against him, but changed his plea on the first day of his trial at the Old Bailey. He has now been sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Police said visibility had been clear on the morning of the crash and no ice was on the road.

Investigating officer Police Constable Celia Weller said: "Stanulis told us he had taken his eyes off the road for a second to look at two lorries parked in a lay-by. He described it as 'a momentary lapse in concentration.'

"Stanulis didn't set out that morning to cause harm and he is still coming to terms with what happened.

"The victim still faces operations on his face and knee and will live with the consequences of this collision for a long time.

"It just goes to show that any lapse in concentration when driving can have devastating consequences."