Dramatic footage shows the moment a dangerous driver struck an innocent motorist at 80mph before fleeing out the front window.
Officers chased down Aaron Drummond, 25, as he scrambled out of the white Ford Transit van after crashing on the outskirts of Darlington.
The video - taken from a police car on Friday, June 7 - shows the van driving on the opposite side of the road at high speeds before smashing into the side of another car.
After the crash, Drummond, wearing just socks, is then seen frantically darting over the bonnet of the police vehicle.
However, the Darlington man, of Southend Avenue, was soon located by officers and arrested at the scene.
He was charged with several offences, including driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, and driving with no insurance.
Drummond appeared before magistrates on Monday, June 10, where he pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at Teesside Crown Court on July 8.
He was just one of Darlington’s most wanted to be apprehended by officers in the last seven days.
He joins:
- Jonathan Watson, 37, of no fixed abode, who was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay compensation for a burglary and three shoplifting offences.
- Ayden Sean Carrick, 32, of Yarm Road, who has started a six-week prison sentence for breaching his Domestic Violence Protection Order.
- Alexander Thurgood, 40, of Thomas Court, Darlington, who has been charged with burglary.
- Kerry Nevison, 44, of West Moor Road, Darlington,, who has been charged with robbery.
- Lee Corrie, 30, of Severn Way, Darlington, who has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.
- David Soley, 40, of Corbridge Crescent, Darlington, who has been charged with burglary and possession of a controlled drug.
- Daniel Christopher Murphy, 29, of Gladstone Street, Darlington, who has been charged with attempted robbery and vehicle interference.
- Matthew Stobie, 39, of Wolsingham Terrace, Darlington, who has been charged with criminal damage and aggravated burglary.
Chief Inspector Dean Haythornthwaite, from Darlington Police, said: “These are just some of the positive results achieved by our hardworking teams over the last seven days.
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“We will not tolerate any kind of criminality here in County Durham and Darlington, and neither will our communities.
“I hope that this send a clear message that if you choose to commit a crime in our area, then you must be prepared to face the consequences.”
If you have any information about potential criminality in your area, contact Durham Police. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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