A MAN has been charged in connection with a collision at a car wash that left a pedestrian with horrific injuries.

Former Cowley teacher Mick Collins, 66, was waiting at a car wash near Tesco in St Helens on December 22 last year when he was hit by a Bentley.

He was in intensive care for three days and suffered a catalogue of major injuries – including eight broken ribs, a collapsed lung and two fractured cheekbones.

Surgeons at the Aintree trauma centre inserted 39 screws into his ribs, removed his spleen, cut glass from his face and sewed his left ear back on.

The father-of-three, from Sutton, is continuing his recovery.

The Bentley had been dropped off at a car wash for valeting at 9.40am and the car's owner headed into the supermarket to do his shopping.

Following a five month investigation – described by police as extensive – 39-year-old Paul Bordache from Gladstone Street, St Helens has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He is also charged with using a motor vehicle without third party insurance, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Bordache will next appear at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates Court, Derby Square, Liverpool on Thursday, July 12.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to come forward is asked to contact 101 or Merseyside Police Roads Policing team on 0151 7775747 quoting incident number 0517327134.