(Image: google)
A man has pleaded guilty to a string of offences following a serious crash in Hartlepool which left a van driver with life-changing injuries.
The crash happened at around 9.50pm on Monday, September 21, at the junction of Cleveland Road and West View Road, involving a Peugeot Expert van and a Volvo XC60.
The 66-year-old driver of the van remains in hospital with serious injuries.
A 31-year-old man was arrested following the crash on suspicion of multiple offences, including causing serious injury by dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking.
A second man, aged 21, was also arrested and remains on police bail while enquiries continue.
The 31-year-old later appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 30, where he was charged with six offences:
- Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
- Driving without insurance.
- Failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
- Causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
- Failing to stop after a road accident.
- Aggravated vehicle taking.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, October 28.
Read more
Serving officer accused of careless driving in police van crash faces trial
Teenager charged after stolen Jaguar 'deliberately' rammed into Teesside homes
Dad-of-seven left with life-changing injuries months after crash with 'lethal' bikes
The crash sparked a major emergency response and led to the closure of West View Road for around five hours overnight.
The closure stretched from Old Cemetery Road to Ropery Road as emergency crews dealt with the crash and investigated the scene.
The driver of the Peugeot, a 66-year-old man, was trapped inside the vehicle before being freed by firefighters and taken to the James Cook University Hospital for treatment.
A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Cleveland Road and West View Road in Hartlepool at 9.49pm on September 21.
"We dispatched a clinical team leader and one ambulance crew, who transported one patient to James Cook Hospital for further treatment."