Father-of-three, 32, suffers life-changing brain damage after drink-driver mounted the pavement and smashed into him outside a pub

• WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
• Gary Burville, 32, was outside The Oakwood pub in Essex when he was struck
• The drink-driver mounted the pavement and crashed into him in a hit-and-run

A father-of-three has suffered life-changing brain damage after a drink-driver mounted the pavement and smashed into him outside a pub.

Former sous chef Gary Burville was in hospital for more than a year, underwent two surgeries to his skull and sustained leg fractures after a drink-driver drove into him while he was standing outside a pub.

The 32-year-old father’s life was ‘ruined in a split second’ and he now struggles with ‘basic tasks’ and is learning to walk again.

Mr Burville – who can no longer work due to his injuries – was standing outside The Oakwood pub in Southend, Essex when a driver drove across the pavement when exiting the pub’s car park – smashing into the father.

The driver then fled the scene by driving down the wrong side of the road. He was later found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and jailed for four years in September. He also received a ban from driving for five years. 

Speaking for the first time, Mr Burville’s mother Jackie said that what happened to him that night ‘changed everything’ for both him and his family.

Former sous chef Gary Burville was in hospital for more than a year, underwent two surgeries to his skull and sustained leg fractures after a drink-driver drove into him while he was standing outside a pub. Pictured: Mr Burville with his two-year-old son Leo

The 32-year-old father’s life was ‘ruined in a split second’ and he now struggles with ‘basic tasks’ and is learning to walk again

Mr Burville – who can no longer work due to his injuries – was standing outside The Oakwood pub in Southend, Essex when a driver drove across the pavement

Pictured: Mr Burville with parents Graham and Jackie

Mr Burville sustained leg fractures and ruptured ligaments in the hit-and-run and underwent two craniotomies and a cranioplasty – both surgeries on the skull.

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He developed post-traumatic hydrocephalus – a common condition after brain injuries are inflicted which causes a buildup of fluid inside the skull – and pneumonia.

The former chef – who is father to Lara, 13, Alexis, 11, and Leo, two -was in a minimally conscious state for eight months after the crash.

He has since required extensive care and rehabilitation support to learn how to walk again, but can no longer work.

Mr Burville is currently only able to walk short distances inside and continues to receive rehabilitation, but he has started to make visits home and spend more time with his family.

His mother, 61, said he has worked hard to learn how to communicate with his family and feed himself again.

She said: ‘Before the crash, Gary was doing well in his job and loved nothing more than spending time with his children.

‘What happened to him that night changed everything.

Mr Burville is currently only able to walk short distances inside and continues to receive rehabilitation, but he has started to make visits home and spend more time with his family

The former chef – who is father to Lara, 13, Alexis, 11, and Leo, two -was in a minimally conscious state for eight months after the crash

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Mr Burvill sustained leg fractures and ruptured ligaments in the hit-and-run and underwent two craniectomies and a cranioplasty – both surgeries on the skull. He developed post-traumatic hydrocephalus – a common condition after brain injury

‘It’s been heartbreaking to see him struggle to do the things we all take for granted and be reliant on others for so many aspects of his life.

‘We just hope that by sharing our story, we can make others aware of what can happen when you break the law.

‘The driver that night was driving dangerously, and because of him, Gary’s life was ruined in a split second.

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‘To know that he will never work again is upsetting, as we know how much he enjoyed being a chef. However, we know we’re lucky that he’s still here with us.

‘While nothing will ever make up for what he’s been put through, we’re so proud of the bravery he’s shown and the recovery he’s making through his rehabilitation.

‘We couldn’t be prouder of him.’

Lawyers from Irwin Mitchell helped Gary access specialist rehabilitation and therapies to help him live as independently as possible.

His family is now joining with their legal team in marking Road Safety Week to warn of the consequences of dangerous driving.

Sarah Griggs, the specialist serious injury lawyer representing the family, said: ‘Coming to terms with the truly catastrophic injuries which are likely to impact Gary for the rest of his life has been incredibly difficult for all the family.

‘Through our work, we far too often see how innocent people can be left facing devastating consequences because of the dangerous actions of others.

‘While Gary has made remarkable progress with his recovery through early access to rehabilitation, he still faces many challenges ahead.

‘We’re determined to support Jackie and Graham so their son can maximise his recovery to live as independently as possible. [They] wanted to share their son’s story to act as a warning.

‘What happened to him is a stark reminder of the need for everyone to take care on the roads at all times.’

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