Woman ploughed into by scrambler slams move to return driver’s licence

A WOMAN who was left unconscious after a scrambler ploughed into her has slammed the decision to return the driver’s licence.

Thais Pelegrino – who suffered a broken jaw, concussion on her skill, a fractured wrist and tissue damage to her leg – hit out after Judge Martin Nolan ruled Shane Ward, 27, of Lissadel Drive in Drimnagh ruled his six year driving ban could end in November 2025 and not February 2027.

Ms Pelegrino, 32, suffered the horrendous injuries after Ward – who was speeding at 100kph – crashed into her on the footpath at the Luas stop in Drimnagh, south Dublin, on January 30, 2020.

During the shocking incident, Ward and his motorcycle both ended up in the canal.

Instead of coming to the crash victim’s aid, the coward climbed from the water and jumped on the back of a pal’s scrambler before fleeing the scene.

Our exclusive CCTV captured the moment he was driven from the scene of the collision.

Although Ward is back on the streets after serving a two year sentence for dangerous driving, he will receive his licence early after forming a mobile valeting company.

Following the Circuit Court ruling, the Brazilian woman spoke exclusively to the Irish Sun to reveal her torment.

She told us: “I find this decision very disrespectful because I am the biggest victim in all of this.

“I think it also completely violates everything that I have been through these last four years.

“The sentence he received does not come close to everything I have been through in terms of recurring health problems due to the damage he caused me.

“I came to Ireland with a dream but this dream was taken from me when he crashed into me and left me lying on the ground.

“I certainly could have died during this incident – the scars and wounds will always be with me.”

And Ms Pelegrino also hit out at the court’s decision not to inform her of the plan.

She added: “I know the court said he comes from a good family but this does not change the fact of what he did in the past – I will carry this with me forever.

I was the victim and at no time was I asked how I would feel about it

“I only found out about the decision on the news and it caught me by surprise.

“I was the victim and at no time was I asked how I would feel about it.

“I was only in Ireland a month when this happened and it changed everything.

“More consideration should be given to the victims when decisions like this are being made.”

During last week’s court hearing, Gda Eamon Kearney objected to any reduction in Ward’s driving ban.

The officer told the court: “Her life has been changed and she had sustained serious facial injuries.”

‘THIS IS NOT A TOY’

The guard also told the court that Ward also rejected the opportunity to come forward after the incident, before adding: “he did not assist the investigation prior to the arraignment.”

The Brazilian woman also urged young people to be aware of the dangers of scrambling, adding: “They need to have more responsibility because this is not a toy and can easily destroy a person’s life especially when driving on a road that is not allowed at a high speed.”

The investigation into the dangerous driving incident was undertaken by Garda Kearney, Sgt David Dunne and Supt Frank Ferry from Sundrive Road Gda station.

As part of their probe, both uniformed gardai and detectives under Sgt Derek Fleming and Det Sgt Brendan O’Halloran gathered CCTV and took 38 witness statements.

Once Ward had been identified by gardai, they tracked his movements on the scrambler both before and after the incident.

They were able to track him getting into his pal’s van before being driven home.

But they received another boost when they examined CCTV from his home showing him pushing the scrambler earlier that day and also returning.

Other items examined included body-camera footage from a Luas security worker showing Ward attempting to cover his face.
Supt Ferry paid tribute to the investigation team.

The senior officer added: “This was a very thorough and professional investigation from start to finish that has resulted in someone being prosecuted for a very serious offence.

“I would like to thank the young woman and the local community for their support in relation to this investigation.

“We are committed to policing in the area and will continue to tackle all forms of anti-social behaviour. I’d also like to remind people of the dangers scramblers pose when driven in a reckless manner.”