Motorcyclist, 35, seriously injured in crash as driver arrested on suspicion of drink-driving
A motorcyclist has been left seriously injured after a collision with a car which was driven by a man allegedly over the drink-drive limit.
Liam Povey, 35, suffered a broken leg and pelvis after he was knocked off his Harley Davidson while riding home through Huntington, Cannock Chase, on Monday evening.
Staffordshire Police arrested the car driver - a 36-year-old man from the Cannock area - on suspicion of driving above the legal alcohol limit, and without a licence and insurance.
The suspect has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. Mr Povey, meanwhile, remains in Royal Stoke University Hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
His family say they have been left devastated by the crash. Mr Povey, a father-of-four, was due to celebrate his daughter's 10th birthday at home that evening.
Worrying
Pamela Podmore, 34, partner of Mr Povey, said: "We are devastated. It has ruined our Christmas now.
"I don't know when he is going to come home because the doctors said they will update me weekly.
"This is affecting our kids at school. They are worrying about me and their dad and they are worrying about everything.
"We are not sleeping. It has affected us massively. We have got no income now because my partner is self-employed."
Mr Povey, a groundworker, suffered other injuries including "internal bleeding and a ruptured bladder," said Miss Podmore.
She said the bike was left in a "right mess" where the frame was "split in half".
Staffordshire Police was called to the scene of the crash on the A34 Stafford Road, in Huntington, at about 4.30pm on Monday, near to Mr Povey's home.
Miss Podmore added: "He has never had an accident before but now he has had a major one. He has been riding motorbikes since he was four-years-old."
Mr Povey's family have thanked residents in Huntington who have bought him gifts, enquired about his welfare and set up a support fund.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences after a motorcyclist was injured in a collision with a car in Cannock.
"The victim, a 35-year-old man, was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with a suspected broken leg and pelvis following the collision on Stafford Road at about 4.30pm on Monday.
"He remains in hospital undergoing treatment.
"The car driver, from the Cannock area, was later arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without third party insurance and on suspicion driving above the legal alcohol limit.
"He has been released under investigation while inquiries continue."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 440 of November 30.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
