Jordan Lee Harry Fisher jailed for at least four years for running down John Nankivell at Freeling

A man with an appalling driving record has been jailed for sideswiping a motorcyclist in a hit-run crash – leaving him to lose his leg.

A man has been jailed after sideswiping a motorcyclist on a country highway.

A man whose licence was disqualified 15 times in nine years has been jailed for at least four years after sideswiping a motorcyclist on a country highway, causing him to lose his leg, and fleeing the scene.

On Thursday, Judge Paul Muscat sentenced ute driver Jordan Lee Harry Fisher, 30, over the hit-run crash on the Thiele Highway at Freeling in June 2022.

The court heard Fisher’s licence was disqualified for “one reason or another” 15 times since 2015.

Waikerie man Jordan Lee Harry Fisher will spend at least four years behind bars for a hit and run crash in 2022. Picture: Facebook

“You should never have been driving that afternoon,” Judge Muscat said.

“You were unlicensed, having not obtained a licence following drink driving offences from which you were disqualified from driving in 2020.

“As your record reveals, this has not stopped you from driving, you have driven since and indeed in the years before while unlicensed or disqualified.”

The court heard Fisher, of Waikerie, continued to drive and offend after his arrest on June 7, 2022, two days after the crash.

Fisher pleaded guilty to causing harm by dangerous driving, leaving the accident scene after causing harm and driving on an unauthorised licence after a drink driving disqualification.

The court heard Fisher felt remorseful, having written a letter of apology to his victim John Nankivell, and the court heard he had realised the “immensity” of his actions.

Fisher left the scene of the crash after he sideswiped a motorcyclist on the Thiele Highway at Freeling. Picture: SA Police

Mr Nankivell, who spent 75 days in hospital, now wears a prosthetic leg and was forced to learn to walk again.

Judge Muscat sentenced Fisher to six years and three months jail with a non-parole period of four years and six months backdated to June 20, 2024.

His Honour disqualified Fisher from driving and holding a licence for 15 years, which comes into effect on his release from prison.

Outside court, Mr Nankivell and his wife Kira Mason said they were “relieved” and could finally get closure and build their family.

“I’m very thankful for the court and what they have done today, this guy will be off the road for a very long time,” Mr Nankivell said.

John Nankivell and Kira Mason said outside court they were “relieved” by Fisher’s sentence. Picture: Leah Smith

Mr Nankivell’s leg was amputated above the knee due to his injuries. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’m happy that he won’t be able to hit anyone else in the meantime.”

The new father said hearing Fisher’s history, and that he continued to offend after the accident was “sad” and “shocking”.

“I can’t understand why or how he has been doing such bad things for such a long time,” the 42-year-old said.

“Hearing his trail of offences is sad, it’s sad to see a man waste his life, I thought he would have an epiphany to stop, and remain behind bars and stuff, but no he chose to do more than that.”

Mr Nankivell said he was very glad to be wearing safety equipment – including an airbag vest – at the time of the impact.

“It saved my life,” he said.