Drunk driver fled crash leaving passenger with life-changing injuries

A 23-year-old man has been jailed for three years after driving dangerously while under the influence of alcohol and causing a crash in Hull that left his passenger with life-changing injuries.

On the evening of Friday (Aug 29), 2025, Daniel Malpass, 23, of no fixed abode, began drinking with a woman known to him, reportedly consuming close to two bottles of vodka.

Malpass then drove the woman around Hull throughout the evening, taking a plastic bottle filled with vodka with him.

His passenger repeatedly asked him to stop the vehicle because of the way he was driving.

During the evening, Malpass was involved in two crashes.

The first happened on Sefton Street, where another vehicle had stopped to give way to Malpass.

Despite the vehicle being stationary, Malpass failed to alter the course of his vehicle and crashed head-on into it.

No one was injured, but Malpass drove away before details could be exchanged.

Police later established that Malpass had also been using his mobile phone while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol during the evening.

The second and more serious crash happened when Malpass drove onto West Dock Avenue from Hessle Road.

Despite West Dock Avenue being marked as a "no through road", Malpass accelerated before hitting the kerb and a one-foot wall.

Both Malpass and his passenger suffered serious injuries, with the woman sustaining life-changing injuries.

Malpass left the scene on foot, leaving his injured passenger in the vehicle.

He was later found by officers a short distance away on Hessle Road after calling the Ambulance Service seeking treatment for his own injuries.

During the 999 call, Malpass falsely claimed he had been a rear passenger in a road traffic crash and did not mention the passenger he had left behind.

When initially interviewed by police, Malpass answered "no comment" to all questions and offered no defence for his behaviour.

Malpass subsequently pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving and a separate count of dangerous driving.

On Friday (Aug 21), 2026, he was sentenced at Hull Crown Court to three years in prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for three-and-a-half years.

Leading the investigation Police Constable Lewis Dagless from our Roads Policing Unit, said: “Malpass made the senseless decision to endanger countless members of the public, including his own passenger through a persistent course of dangerous driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

“Initially the extent of Malpass’ offending appeared to be causing a single serious road traffic collision however it was later established that this incident was final outcome of a prolonged period of dangerous driving that evening.

“Extensive enquires following the collision established that he had already been involved in another collision on Sefton Street earlier that night.

“During this collision, a vehicle had stopped to give way to Malpass. Despite the vehicle being stationary, he failed to alter the course of his vehicle and collided head-on with it. Thankfully, nobody was injured in that collision, but rather than stop and take responsibility for what had happened, he drove away from the scene before details could be exchanged.

“Evidence gathered throughout the investigation established that throughout the evening of the 21 August 2025 Malpass had been using his mobile phone whilst driving and driving under the influence of alcohol in a manner which presented a serious and sustained risk to other road users.

“His actions ultimately resulted in a collision which left his passenger with serious injuries. I would like to say thank you to the victim for her strength throughout what has undoubtably been an incredibly difficult period. She has had to live with the consequences of Malpass’ actions, and I hope that the sentence passed provides her with some sense of closure and helps her move forward.

"This case is a stark reminder that the consequences of dangerous driving can extend far beyond a single moment on the road. Two young lives have been drastically changed by the decisions Malpass made that evening. His own life has been profoundly affected by the consequences of his actions, but so too has the life of the victim, who had no choice in the decisions he made behind the wheel.

"Our One Second campaign highlights the devastating consequences that can follow from a single poor decision behind the wheel. This case demonstrates that message starkly. It takes only one second to make a decision that can change someone's life forever, whether that's picking up a mobile phone, getting behind the wheel after drinking, or simply choosing to drive in a dangerous manner.

"Our role is not simply to deal with the consequences when those decisions result in a collision. We are committed to preventing these incidents from happening in the first place and taking action against those who pose the greatest risk to other road users.

"We will continue to investigate road traffic collisions thoroughly, pursue evidence of offending, and seek to bring those responsible before the courts. We will not tolerate those who show a blatant disregard for the safety of others on our roads.

“We continue to encourage members of the public to report dangerous or reckless driving when it is safe to do so. You can also submit video evidence of suspected driving offences through Operation Snap, a secure online portal that allows footage from dashcams, mobile phones, or helmet cameras to be reviewed by trained officers.

“Every submission is assessed, and where offences are identified, appropriate action is taken. We would encourage anyone who witnesses poor driving behaviour to make use of this tool.

“Through high-visibility policing, education, and targeted enforcement, we are working across our force area to encourage better decision-making on the roads, reminding all drivers and riders that one second of distraction, one reckless choice, can take a life.

“Our message is simple; drive safe, every time.”