James Bushell suffers critical injuries after being hit by alleged drug driver Krystal Lynn Kelly
The shattered wife of a devoted father-of-three has revealed the horrific injuries he suffered after he was hit by a drug-fuelled driver as he rode an e-scooter.
Police & Courts
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A routine commute on his e-scooter has left a Brisbane dad fighting for life, as the woman allegedly responsible for his catastrophic injuries walks from court on bail.
James Bushell, a devoted dad-of-three and husband, is recovering from emergency surgery after allegedly being hit by a woman driving a stolen car while she was on drugs and using her phone.
Mr Bushell, 51, was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital on Monday after the car allegedly mounted the footpath on Shafston Ave, struck him, and crushed him against a wall.
His wife, Miska Bushell said her husband was lucky to be alive after the horrific incident which played out on his way to work in East Brisbane.
“I was at home, the lady who called the ambulance called me. I just started crying. I couldn’t believe it,” Mrs Bushell said.
“He loved riding his scooter. He was on the footpath minding his own business and wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
The impact broke both of Mr Bushell’s legs, his pelvis, multiple ribs, and he had to have his spleen removed in surgery.
Mr Bushell was sedated, but doctors might need to operate further in the coming days.
Mr Bushell is also a dad of three kids, who Mrs Bushell said was struggling to see their dad in such a horrific state.
“I’m trying to stay strong.
“He’s strong, he is quite fit, and hopefully he will get through this.
“We just want him back home, we miss him.”
Court documents allege that Mr Bushell was struck from behind, causing his body to hit the bonnet and windscreen, before being carried on the bonnet and pinned against a wall.
He then fell onto the footpath, where the car then allegedly ran over him, according to court documents.
Mr Bushell’s sister and employer at Place Estate Agents Sarah Hackett said they were devastated.
“Jimmy is a beautiful and kind soul … who is loved by everyone that knows him,” Ms Hackett said.
“He has worked at Place for 20 years, parks his car at his mother’s place to see her, then rides his own scooter into the Place office on James Street where he works in IT services.
“He plays an instrumental role within our family and Place, and we are all praying for a fast recovery.”
The woman allegedly behind the wheel, Krystal Lynn Kelly, 38, fronted Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday after her arrest on Monday following her alleged drug fuelled rampage.
Kelly was charged with a string of offences, including one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, drug driving while unlicensed, driving without a license, possession of drug utensils and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Kelly allegedly returned a positive drug test for methamphetamine.
Police opposed her bail, but she was released and her matter was adjourned until next month.
Mrs Bushell said she was focusing all her energy onto her husband who was expected to remain in hospital for a few more weeks.
“He’s my main focus, I just want James to be better,” Mrs Bushell said.
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