A WOMAN has spoken of her shock after she was awoken by a car crashing into the front garden of her house in the early hours of Saturday.
The car had been parked in front of her house and was struck with such force by another out of control vehicle, that it smashed through a brick wall and came to rest in her garden.
Now the woman is calling for action to prevent cars speeding down the road, before someone is seriously hurt.
The incident happened at about 3.30am on Saturday on Greenbank Road, Darlington.
READ MORE: Darlington teenager lifts golf trophy 32 years after his dad lifted same trophy
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard a big smash and screeching. At first I thought I was dreaming, but I got up, looked out of the window and saw the car in my front garden. That’s when I phoned the police and I also asked for an ambulance.”
The woman said she was afraid to go outside but the call handler asked her to go out to see if anyone had been hurt.
She said: “It wasn’t registering properly in my head.
"Everyone was out on the street and I asked if anyone was injured. Everyone was looking at their cars checking what damage was done. I was shocked by the whole thing, but thankfully nobody’s been physically hurt.”
It appeared from the scene that a car had been travelling at speed, lost control and struck several parked cars - including the one that had been propelled into her garden, completely destroying a wall and a coping stone at the front of her house.
Neighbours said the occupants of the car had fled.
The shocked woman said cars frequently speed down the road and she had suffered a similar incident around 10 years ago.
She called for something to be done, adding: “I don’t know if the speed bumps on the road are any use or not, they don’t seem to stop people speeding. People are sick of it. I’m surprised nobody’s been knocked over.”
Councillor Mary Layton, one of the three Labour councillors for Pierremont on Darlington Borough Council, said: "This was a frightening incident for local people. Four cars were damaged and a wall demolished. This is a well-used residential road - thank goodness no one was hurt or killed.
"The traffic calming on Greenbank Road can't deter idiots like this who are determined to speed and put their lives, and others, at risk.
"The speed cushions and 20mph zone however is long overdue a review by the council. Greenbank Road is terraced, long and straight with a single bend - conditions which can encourage people to speed.
"I will be asking the Highways Department to look at extending the traffic calming measures along more of Greenbank Road, which might deter speeding in the future."
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel