A HAMPSHIRE model says her life has been ruined after she was mown down by a jealous love rival in an horrific collision.

Faye Townsend was left for dead after teenage motorist Chantelle Matthews ploughed into her as she walked up a country lane.

The 24-year-old, of Gurnays Mead, West Wellow, has relived the shocking incident of December 2015 and revealed the devastating after-effects.

The former Mountbatten School pupil, said: “I looked over my shoulder and heard an engine and then ‘bang’.

“The left headlight went into my right leg, I smashed into the windscreen, and somersaulted through the air.”

Following the incident in Tutts Lane, Faye was rushed to Southampton General Hospital and put on life support, where she remained in a coma for 12 days.

“I was told that blood was pouring from my eyes, mouth, nose and ears when I got hit,” Faye said.

“I had three brain haemorrhages there and then, and two fractures in my skull."

Throughout her stay in hospital, she suffered from pneumonia and her family were told to expect the worst.

“I should have died, but I fought for my life,” said Faye.

She had to have a three-centimetre-wide bolt fitted to her temple to lift the pressure off her brain.

However, she discharged herself from hospital just six days after waking up from her coma.

“The nurses were calling me their miracle, and nicknaming me Catwoman because they thought I had nine lives,” she said.

“I am overwhelmed that I am alive but also devastated that I am never be like my old self again.

“I discharged myself because I did not want to be in hospital anymore. All I wanted to do was go home.

“The reality hit me when I walked through my front door that I would never be the same again. I am still coming to terms with that every day.”

Matthews, of Camilla Close, Totton, fled the scene, and the car she was driving – a Nissan Micra - was eventually found in Calmore.

The 19-year-old mum originally pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and was due to stand trial at Southampton Crown Court.

However, the charge was dropped and she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of inflicting GBH.

Matthews will be sentenced on February 24.

Faye said the catalogue of devastating injuries sustained in the collision still affect her ability to live a normal life.

“I have got a limp, whiplash and my back aches all the time,” she said.

“My shoulders constantly crunch with different waves of pain. I lose grip in both my hands as well, and I have fatigue and no balance.

“I have very little taste or smell.

“This incident has taken away my life because I feel like a little child.”

Faye was also left with permanent brain damage, meaning she has to be continuously monitored by doctors.

“I have had to learn to walk again,” she said. “It’s weird because you do not remember how to walk as a toddler.

“I did not know how much concentration it takes to step one foot after the other.”

Since the incident, Faye said her confidence has crumbled. Although she receives love and support from her family and partner, she said she is still fearful of leaving her house alone.

“Doctors told me I have post-traumatic stress disorder because I have gone through so much.

“My life has been ruined and will never be the same again.”

Faye, who has done photoshoots for London’s Pure Studios and worked for Glam Entertainment Enterprise Ltd, says her dreams of dancing professionally are in tatters.

She is also frustrated by short-term memory loss – she said that in one instance she bought the same item from a shop three times because she could not remember making the original purchase.

Faye says she does not know why the collision happened, but said she wants closure from Matthews and to be left alone.

She said tensions had escalated after Matthews started dating Faye's ex-boyfriend, who is now father to the teenager's three-month-old daughter.

“I think she believed me and my ex were still in contact – but we weren’t.

“I believe Chantelle should get a prison sentence – I also hope they give her a restraining order. I just want her out of my life.”