He failed to appear at Kidderminster Crown Court in November 2023 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. in December but he had already flown back to Texas.

Court documents filed in Texas in early 2024 showed that Calderon admitted during a police interview that he was unfamiliar with using a manual gearbox, did not understand British road signs and that his driving was “definitely not safe “.

He later asked police to tell the nurse he was “very sorry” and admitted to vaping in the car before the collision.

The judge, who also gave Calderon a two-year driving ban to be served after his release, told him: “You’ve had your license for no more than a year.

“So by all accounts you were an inexperienced driver. You haven’t actually bothered to familiarize yourself with the solid white lines and what they mean, what they’re there for.

“Even though you say you were doing ‘follow the leader’, the responsibility for this accident lies solely with you.

“It was your hands on the wheel. It was your foot on the accelerator and it was your mind that decided to make those dangerous maneuvers.

“It’s troubling that instead of going to that first date (the courts), you chose to go back to America rather than face the music.

“Other people were clearly aware of the road conditions and were driving safely. You chose to do the opposite.”

Mrs Donowho, 56, who was returning home from work at a hospital unit in Hereford, suffered multiple fractures in the collision, including both ankles, her sternum and her right hand.

Calderon suffered a broken arm and a concussion, while the nurse has yet to return to work.

The crash, which happened on a wet road surface in a 50 mph zone, was recorded on van-mounted front and rear cameras.

Simon Phillips, prosecuting, told the court a witness estimated Calderon’s speed at around 70mph and feared he was “going to kill himself or someone else”.