Two years after being hit and run by drunk driver on his fundraising ride from John O’Groats To Lands End, a cyclist who was hit by the hit-and-run driver has successfully completed the trip.
Jean-Pierre ‘JP’ (39), from Welton was left with broken legs and a punctured lung.
The cyclist was just 880 miles in to the 1000 mile challenge and was being mowed by a disqualified driver driving a stolen car near Combe Martin, North Devon.
JP was so brutally attacked that he was discovered by the locals in a holiday camp nearby, wedged between a tree trunk and a barrier on the side of the road. His bike had been smashed to bits.
The cyclist, who was screaming in pain and unable to speak for fifteen days, was flown to the hospital.
Motivational speaker was fitted with metal plates in his legs and right arms, as well as a rod that ran from his right hip to his knee.
Miraculously, with the assistance of physiotherapists, he was able to learn how to walk again just one month after his horrific experience.
JP originally from South Africa, completed the challenge last month.
Cyclist Jean-Pierre ‘JP’ de Villiers, 39, from Welton, Northamptonshire, completed his 1,000 mile fundraising journey two years later – after relearning how to walk after he was mowed down by a drink driver
JP was left with two shattered legs, a fractured arm, punctured lung, bowel and heart trauma after he was airlifted to hospital and put on a life-support machine for 15 days after he was hit in Combe Martin, North Devon
JP was just about to complete his 1000-mile charity fundraising campaign for Addie Brady Foundation. He was then struck by a Ford Focus.
Following the collision, Evans spent two months hospitalized and later publicly repents for the actions of Stephen Evans.
JP stated that it was life-changing for him. However, he is grateful to have survived. This is a miracle that happened.
“Because my job is a mindset coach, I’ve never stopped to wonder why me.” I feel bad for myself.
“It’s what it is, and it was fuel for me to be grateful and to drive me towards the goal.
It wasn’t easy. I have PTSD and feel lost.
“But, I was determined to complete it. “I knew that I would finish the book as soon as I got out of intensive care.
JP realized he wasn’t quite at Land’s End, but needed more mileage to reach his goal of 1,000 miles. So he decided to make a detour through North Devon.
He drove through Ilfracombe’s hills, but Mr Evans was able to plow him into the head-on. Evans continued driving even though he had a broken windshield.
JP said: “One of my first thoughts upon waking up in hospital was that I wanted to ride again.”
“I mentally planned it, even though I was bedbound. That’s how it got me through.
“Because I was affected by the pandemic, it became difficult for me to get out there and try it.
JP, a local holiday camp guest was struck with such force that he was discovered wedged between a tree trunk and a barrier by the roadside with his bicycle shattered (pictured).
“I called up the camping company, who called emergency services for me when I was knocked down.
“It’s something that I had not ticked for 2 years. “I’m proud and so happy that I finally achieved it.
Stephen Evans, 70-year-old pensioner, had four times the legal limit of drink drive when he was hit by JP.
Evans of Ilfracombe was charged with dangerous driving, drunk driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, uninsured and failing to yield.
Jason Beal, the defending attorney, stated that Evans was suffering from an alcohol addiction at that time, and had shown genuine remorse.
Last year, he was sentenced to a 24 month term and banned from driving for ten years.
The Exeter Crown Court jury heard Evans’ drunkenness was a factor in the collision. Evans was found unconscious in an alleyway after the crash.