ACCIDENT victim Vicki Kelcher has been in hospital for almost three months - and despite her traumatic experience is looking forward to the day she can learn to drive.

By Georgina James

ACCIDENT victim Vicki Kelcher has been in hospital for almost three months - and despite her traumatic experience is looking forward to the day she can learn to drive.

Vicki will be celebrating her 17th birthday in May and is looking forward to that day when she can get her L-plates out take to the road.

Vicki's mum Wendy said: "She is really excited about having driving lessons later in the year and can't wait to get started."

No one would be surprised if Vicki had no desire to get behind the wheel of a car, after her pelvis was crushed and her leg broken in a road accident in December.

Mrs Kelcher said: "Although she has been through a lot, travelling in a car is not a problem for Vicki. She is more nervous understandably on the pavement.

"We took her outside in her wheelchair to get some fresh air and she was a little anxious about being on the pavement, especially when cars got too close."

Doctors had hoped to get her home to Chaucer Road in Felixstowe within weeks of the accident in December.

But the day when Vicki is told she can leave the confines of Ipswich Hospital is still unknown.

For the time being Vicki is having to be patient.

She was injured while she was walking along Garrison Lane, with her boyfriend Ty Freer. A black Mercedes, driven by businessman Felixstowe Peter Whalley, left the road and hit Vicki, crushing her against a brick wall.

Vicki has been recovering at Ipswich Hospital after having had several operations at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital said: "Vicki is coming along ok."

Vicki is still in good spirits albeit frustrated at not being able to go home and get back to Suffolk College.

Her mother said: "She is not too bad but is obviously frustrated at having spent the last ten weeks or so in hospital.

"The next milestone will be when the fixator is removed and this is when she will be able to make real progress."

In eight months' time, Vicki is to be a bridesmaid for her cousin and she is extremely focused on making sure she s there and able to walk down the aisle.

Mrs Kelcher, said: "Knowing that she is to be bridesmaid has given her a real goal to work towards."

Felixstowe businessman Whalley, 35, of Princes Gardens, will appear before South East Suffolk magistrates in Ipswich on Tuesday

He has been charged with dangerous driving, drink-driving and careless driving.