A HIT and run victim hurled 12 foot into the air by a speeding car on a Runcorn expressway was left critically injured by a drunk driver, a court has heard.

Keen golfer and footballer, 24-year-old Daniel Hassey suffered a broken leg, two broken shoulders, broken ribs, a broken pelvis, and bruised lungs.

When his parents saw his shattered, bleeding body in intensive care, they feared he might not survive.

His dad, Stephen, aged 53, of Runcorn old town, said: “It was horrible. There was a lot of blood on the floor from his broken compound fracture.

“We thought he was dead.”

Kevin Hayes, aged 23, of Haywood Crescent, Windmill Hill, was jailed for 20 months, and disqualified from driving for 10 years at Warrington Crown Court on Monday.

He said he did not know he had hit anyone on Bridgewater Expressway because it was dark.

However, witnesses who saw the accident at 4.40am on July 8, this year, denied this.

The impact had pierced a hole in his windscreen.

Hayes admitted dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road accident and driving under excess alcohol after tests revealed he was one and a half times over the legal limit more than six hours after the incident.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months in 2010.

Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, said members of the public, including a nurse, tended to Mr Hassey after he was knocked down crossing the road outside the BP petrol station on Bridgewater Expressway.

He said Hayes had been travelling at speed.

John Barnes, defending, said Hayes was ‘extremely remorseful’.

Judge Roger Dutton said his decision to drive that night was a ‘near fatal mistake’.

He added “Daniel Hassey’s life has probably been changed forever because of your driving.”

He said he was ‘gravely limited’ regarding the sentence he could pass for dangerous driving offences.

Only medical advances, he said, had saved Daniel’s life.

Speaking afterwards, Daniel’s dad, Stephen said:”Doctors thought he had a broken neck. His head was taped to the bed for three days. It was a very stressful time.”

Daniel had three operations on his leg, was in intensive care for seven days and spent 17 days in hospital.

He may face further surgery and his leg is still protected by a cage.

Stephen said: “We only found out in court that at a nurse attended to him at the scene. We would like to thank that person and all the witnesses. People at the scene saved his life.”

Former Grange pupil, Daniel, an operator at Fresenius Kabi at Manor Park, works permanent nights.

His dad said: “He had only nipped out to the garage to get a butty.

“Thankfully, he has no memory of being hit.

“Daniel has been really brave. His friends have been brilliant.

“His bones are set but he might need another operation. All the medics were brilliant.

“He is lucky to be alive.”

PC Rick Hooley said: “The victim sustained significant injuries for which he is still receiving treatment.

“This has had a big impact on him both physically and emotionally.

“Cheshire Police takes drink driving extremely seriously. The message is clear. If you choose to ignore the rules of the road, you will end up paying the price for your actions.”