A driver who lost control of a car and crashed into a tree, seriously injuring himself and three passengers, has been jailed for just over three years.
Witnesses said Rajibul Hoque had swerved in and out of lanes at high speed to overtake and undertake other vehicles on the M11.
The 20-year-old lost control of his brother's Peugeot 206 after he undertook some vehicles, crossed the hard shoulder and crashed into a tree just past junction 7 in North Weald.
His brother, who was on holiday at the time, had not given him permission to drive the car.
Other drivers stopped to help Hoque and his four passengers, who had been travelling from Cambridge to London for a meal.
One of his passengers suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralysed from the waist down. He will need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life and also suffered a brain injury.
Another suffered a life-changing shoulder and arm injury, while a third broke his wrist.
Hoque suffered a bleed on the brain and life-changing leg and shoulder injuries.
Only one passenger was uninjured in the collision on February 13, 2019.
During their enquiries, police found Hoque had been using his mobile phone as a satnav, secured on a bracket on the windscreen, at the time of the collision.
Hoque, of Alex Wood, Cambridge, was charged with three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He initially denied the charges in September of last year but changed his pleas to guilty in February.
Hoque was jailed for three years and two months at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, March 30 and he was banned from driving for six years and seven months.
Detective Sergeant Steve Holmes, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Rajibul Hoque’s actions resulted in life-changing injuries to a number of people, including himself, causing a lasting physical and emotional impact.
“His reckless behaviour changed the lives of a young group of people within seconds and put their lives in grave danger.
“A split second can change lives irrevocably and this tragic case is a reminder that when you get behind the wheel, you have a responsibility for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users.
“Dangerous driving puts everyone at risk and the consequences do not bear thinking about.”
For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.
We also have a Twitter account: @EppingFGuardian
Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Epping Forest.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here