A TEENAGER who drove at double the speed limit before hitting a brick wall, seriously injuring his friend, has been banned from the roads for six years.

Carter Light was behind the wheel of a green Vauxhall Astra when crashed near a North Dorset caravan park just before midday on July 28 last year.

The 19-year-old hit speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in Milton on Stour near Gillingham. The road has a 30mph limit.

One of the passengers in the back of the car later told police Light's driving was 'erratic'. As Light attempted to steer around a right-hand bend, he lost control of the vehicle, which swerved violently and hit a stone wall close to the Milton Farm caravan site.

A 21-year-old woman who was in the back seat of the car suffered a range of serious injuries, including an open fracture to her wrist, a skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, fractures to her neck and spine and a collapsed lung.

She was airlifted to Bristol Hospital, where she remained for four months.

The front seat passenger and the second rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries. Light suffered a broken pelvis. He was airlifted to Southampton Hospital for treatment.

Last week, Light, who lives in Mere, Wiltshire, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and pay his victim £5,000 in compensation.

A judge also banned the defendant from the roads for six years.

Sergeant Mark Scammell of Dorset Police's traffic unit, said: “Carter Light’s driving was dangerous and reckless and his actions caused one of his passengers to receive very serious injuries.

“He knew full well he was driving too fast and well in excess of the speed limit. It is nothing but sheer luck that no one was killed. He is very remorseful for what happened that day.

“Light has been banned from the road for a significant period of time and I hope this ban will send him and other motorists a very strong warning – you are behind the wheel of a lethal weapon and I would urge everyone to ensure they drive safely, within the speed limit and considerately to avoid risking their safety and that of other road users.”