In an unsealed transcript of an interview with police following the crash, Mr Calderon added that he was not insured to drive his silver Honda Accord and had a headphone in at the time of the collision.

Witnesses said he was doing 70mph in a 50mph zone before crashing head-on into Ms Donowho on the A4103.

When shown footage of his erratic driving by West Mercia Police, Mr Calderon repeatedly said “s—” and admitted his driving was “definitely not safe”.

He also said he had been vaping in the car and asked for a message to be passed on to Ms Donowho, telling officers: “Can you tell her I’m really sorry.”

The force previously said the suspect was not arrested immediately after the incident because he required medical attention for serious injuries.

When asked if he had any plans to leave the country in the near future, Mr Calderon said: “No. I don’t. I’m here until March.”

A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to appear before magistrates on Dec 1 2023.

Police later confirmed he left the UK on Nov 25 and flew to the US, where he was tracked down to his family home in Humble, Texas.