A mother from Leicestershire has described how her life was torn apart by a hit-and-run driver who left her for dead nearly nine years ago, with the motorist still evading justice.
A Life Changed in an Instant
Kayley Hicken, then 35, was waiting for a taxi outside her friend's home in Thurmaston on December 17, 2016, when a white VW Golf mounted the kerb and struck her. The impact dragged the mother-of-one beneath the vehicle, causing catastrophic injuries.
The collision left Kayley with a devastating traumatic brain injury, a fractured leg, shattered pelvis, ruptured liver and severe internal haemorrhaging. Her injuries were so critical that family members were told she was on the brink of death.
Medical professionals later described her as an 'unexpected survivor' after she emerged from a week-long coma and two months of hospital treatment, defying the odds stacked against her.
The Long Road to Recovery
Despite surviving the initial trauma, Kayley's life would never return to normal. She was forced to abandon her career as a trainee home carer, a profession she had just begun and was passionate about, as she could no longer care for herself, let alone others.
The emotional and physical trauma continues to affect her daily life nearly a decade later. She experiences persistent pain, particularly in her left leg, which severely limits her mobility to short distances and makes carrying objects difficult.
There remains a possibility she will require additional surgery in the future and may eventually need a wheelchair as her injuries continue to impact her life.
Search for Justice Continues
Leicestershire Police launched an extensive investigation into the incident, making several arrests, but no charges were ever brought and the case remains officially undetected.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "After a lengthy investigation and several arrests, no charges were ever brought, and the case remains undetected. Should any new information come to light, this will be considered and further lines of enquiry pursued."
Kayley has since secured an undisclosed settlement from the Motor Insurers' Bureau, which provides compensation to victims injured by untraceable drivers. The funds will enable her to access specialist care and relocate to a property better suited to her needs.
Reflecting on the driver who abandoned her, Kayley said: "I'll always be angry at the driver and what they did, especially driving off and leaving me for dead. Clearly, they have no conscience."
She is sharing her story during Road Safety Week in the hope that it will encourage others to think twice and take greater care on the roads, while also showing that there is hope after life-changing injury.
Her solicitor, Kelly Lingard of Irwin Mitchell, who handled the compensation claim, noted: "Kayley's case vividly highlights the devastating consequences of crashes and how lives can be turned upside down in a split second."
