A teenager has appeared in court following a fatal crash in County Durham last week.

Edward Alan Crawford appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (October 5) charged with causing death by dangerous driving on the A688, at West Auckland, on Thursday (September 28).

It is alleged the 18-year-old was behind the wheel of a Range Rover Evoque at the time of the incident. The charge arises out of the death of a man.

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Crawford of West View, Elswick, Newcastle was further charged with causing serious serious injury to another man by dangerous driving.

He was also charged with aggravated vehicle taking, after allegedly taking the vehicle without consent from Evenwood.

He was not asked to plead to the charge and was remanded in custody to appear at Durham Crown Court on November 1 for a plea and direction hearing. 

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A Durham Police spokesperson said at the time of the incident: "Police were called at 5.30am today to a two-vehicle collision on the A688 Staindrop Road, near West Auckland."

The road was closed in both directions between the Oakley Service Station Roundabout and Evenwood Gate.

A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called just before 5.30am on Thursday 28 September to a two-vehicle road traffic collision on Staindrop Road, West Auckland.

"We dispatched one crew from our Hazardous Area Response Team, two double crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader and were supported by the Great North Air Ambulance car. 

"Two patients were taken to James Cook Hospital, one with a doctor on board."