Student with Epilepsy Sentenced to Prison for Dangerous Piccadilly Circus Crash
A promising student who deliberately ignored medical advice not to drive after being diagnosed with epilepsy has been jailed for two years and eight months following a serious collision in London's West End that hospitalized two victims.
Medical Warning Disregarded
Sunainah Amber, a 23-year-old from Islington, was explicitly instructed by her doctor not to operate a vehicle after suffering an epileptic fit at home in July 2024 and receiving an epilepsy diagnosis. The medical directive required her to refrain from driving for at least one year and to notify the DVLA of her condition.
Despite this clear prohibition, Amber chose to drive her mother's Toyota Yaris just four months later, on November 12, 2024, with her friend Aysha Cheema as a passenger. The pair were traveling along Regent's Street and Coventry Street toward the bustling Piccadilly Circus area.
Chaotic Crash Scene
As the vehicle approached traffic lights near the iconic Piccadilly Circus, Amber experienced an epileptic seizure, causing her to lose control of the car. Southwark Crown Court heard that Cheema, recognizing the imminent danger, cried out for help and attempted to escape by opening the passenger door.
Before Cheema could exit, the car accelerated forward, mounted the pavement, and struck pedestrian Marlon Villerreal, propelling him into the Horse of Helios fountain. The vehicle then crashed into a lamppost outside the Angus Steakhouse restaurant, narrowly avoiding other pedestrians who scrambled to safety. The incident occurred around 7 pm, when the restaurant was filled with diners.
Severe Injuries and Legal Consequences
The crash resulted in significant injuries for both victims. Cheema suffered a fractured leg, enduring months of pain and what she described in a court statement as "constant fear and psychological distress." Villerreal sustained cuts, bruises, and bleeding on the brain.
Amber pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Judge Alexander Milne KC, during sentencing, emphasized that Amber was "in the midst of an epileptic fit" when her driving became erratic, but noted she "may not have fully appreciated the very realistic fear of her passenger."
The judge rejected arguments from Amber's barrister to avoid imprisonment, stating firmly, "It was clearly a deliberate choice to disregard the information given to her by her doctor. You are fortunate you did not kill people that day, it's as simple as that. You are lucky it wasn't far worse."
Aftermath and Apology
Amber, who was previously enrolled in an accountancy graduate scheme, will serve just over a year in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Additionally, she has been banned from driving for three years and four months.
The court learned that Amber attributed her decision to drive post-diagnosis to "immaturity" and has written a letter of apology to Cheema. Both women were aerospace engineering students at St Mary's University at the time of the incident.
This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to medical driving restrictions, particularly for conditions like epilepsy that can pose severe risks to public safety.
