A man who nearly died after a van driver high on cocaine crashed into him in Hampshire has spoken of his anger at being left with life-changing injuries.
Jason Nicholas spent two-and-a-half weeks in an induced coma following the head-on collision on the A32 near Alton on 10 May 2024.
The 53-year-old was airlifted to hospital, where doctors told his partner, Selena, that he was unlikely to survive the night.
Jason suffered numerous serious injuries, including broken arms, legs and vertebrae in his spine.
He also had multiple strokes while in the induced coma, leaving him with impaired cognitive function which will affect him for the rest of his life.
Jason now requires lifelong care and has been unable to return to his job as an aircraft fitter.
He can also no longer enjoy activities he loved before the collision, including riding his motorbike.
The van driver, Ben Talbot, 34, of Southampton Road, Landford, Salisbury, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 31 March 2026 after being convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving.
He was jailed for 32 months and will be banned from driving for a further 46 months after his release.
Jason, from Alton, has now shared his story in the hope of highlighting the dangers of drug driving.
He said: "I'm so, so angry, because his actions have changed my life forever.
"I used to go on motorbike rides with my partner Selena and I miss being able to do that.
"I don't understand how or why. Why did it have to be me?
"I'm so angry that he was a drug driver. It makes no sense why someone would do that. Now I have to live with what he's done.
"I hope my story stops another person from going through the same nightmare."
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the five most common factors in fatal collisions and can severely affect decision-making, reaction times and hazard awareness.
Chief Inspector Emma Hart, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "I would urge everyone to watch this video and listen to Jason bravely tell his story. This is the end result of one person making a selfish decision to get behind the wheel after taking drugs.
"It is life-changing. It is forever. Please don't ever drive under the influence or you could ruin someone else's life."
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