A video of the moment a car ploughed into two women has been released by police as one of the victims has spoken out about the devastating impact of the injuries that left her paralysed.

The driver of the dark grey BMW 3 series collided with the two pedestrians after the car drove along the pavement of Norwood High Street, near to Scandals nightclub, shortly before 4.40am on Sunday, May 29.

The car did not stop, and continued to drive along the pavement before rejoining the road.

Both 29-year-old women were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. One of the victims, Chanelle Higgins, who has since turned 30, spent five months in hospital and is now paralysed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair, with only limited use of her upper body.

Her friend received minor injuries.

Your Local Guardian:                     

Chanelle Higgins 

Ms Higgins said: “This incident has had a massive impact upon my life. I’m now in a wheelchair. I can’t move my legs and I only have limited usage of my hands.

“I have spent five whole months lying in a hospital bed, missing my children and wondering what time of future I will be able to have. As a single mother, I was devastated to miss my son’s birthday.

“That night has changed me in just about every way. I’m not the person that I used to be and I’m just so unhappy. I used to be active, fit and bubbly, and so independent. I didn’t have to rely on anyone.

“Now I need care 24 hours a day and due to my disability, I can’t look after my children by myself that they have to stay with my family.

"This is what hurts the most. It has been so painful being away from them yet they are the only thing that keeps me going now.”

Your Local Guardian:

Police believe the driver of the car was fleeing an altercation that taken place further along Norwood High Street just before the hit-and-run. The car was not found until June 16, when it was discovered parked in a residential street in south London.

On 16 June a 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He was released on bail until December.

Police Constable Laura Travers of Lambeth CID said: "This was a shocking incident. These two women were simply on a night out to see friends and now their lives have changed completely.

"From looking at the CCTV footage, there are clearly many people in the street who would have witnessed this incident and could provide vital information about what happened.

"I would urge anyone who can assist to have the confidence to come forward and speak to police."

Ms Higgins added: "I spend hours and hours thinking about who did this to me. What type of person could run someone over and leave them for dead? What kind of evil person could do that?

“I just can't believe that the person is just living their life while I'm going through hell. It's just not right."

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Travers on 020 8649 2135.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or click here.