Stephen, his brother Tony, and brother-in-law Mike were involved in a crash with a drink driver on 22 January 2006. After leaving the Station Inn Pub on foot on Beverley Road in Hull at approximately 1:15am after a night of celebration, the three men began their journey home. As they approached the road outside the pub, Stephen recounts seeing a set of headlights in the distance. He felt the car was far away enough to cross the road safely, so the three men stepped into the road. However, the car approached at speed, travelling at 65mph on a 30mph limit road. As the car came closer, a passer-by shouted out to warn the three men, but unfortunately, it was too late.
The car, which was being driven by an individual more than two times over the drink driving limit, collided with all three of the men. Stephen was hit and flipped over the car, landing on his back with severe injuries to his left leg and right arm. His brother Tony went headfirst through the windscreen causing extensive injury, and Mike was sideswiped and left with severe bruising. As Stephen lay on the floor, all he could think about was his brother Tony, who he knew had taken the full brunt of the impact to his head.
After being taken to hospital, Stephen had to be resuscitated twice, and was even told that his leg may have to be amputated due to the extent of the injury. However, the orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Hemant Sharma saved his limbs. Unfortunately, while lying in the hospital bed, Stephen was informed that his brother Tony had died from his injuries after a period of time on life support.
The recovery process for Stephen and his family was long and arduous. He was severely impacted both physically and mentally by the crash, having to learn to walk again as well as coping with the trauma and loss of Tony.
Tony was killed by a drink driver while walking home from the pub
I want to be a voice for my brother Tony. The crash took away his opportunity to share his side of the story, but I want to make sure his memory and what happened is not forgotten. Every road crash is preventable, and we can all do more to make sure we are safer and more vigilant on our roads to protect everyone.
It was at this point Stephen found Brake, who he has worked alongside, sharing his story and teaching others about the dangers of drink driving. Stephen established the Tony Blount Foundation, where he works to raise money for Brake, especially around the end of March every year in celebration of his Tony’s birthday.
Stephen has also worked with children in Stepney Primary school, giving a talk on road safety. Stephen believes in the importance of talking about the dangers of drink driving and the importance of road safety from an early age and is supporting Road Safety Week to promote this message.