TRIBUTES have been paid to a driver killed when his car crashed just moments after it was spotted speeding.
Flowers were yesterday laid at the scene of the accident, on Sunderland Road, in Grants Houses, near Easington Colliery, as friends of Glenn Robinson learned of the tragedy.
The 22-year-old, who lived with his family in Bridge Road, Shotton Colliery, and worked for Durham County Council’s gardening division, died of head injuries.
Police say he had been heading home after a night out when the car collided with a fence and then crashed down an embankment.
In a statement, Glenn’s family said he was the eldest of three children and was engaged to be married.
It read: “Glenn was a kind and thoughtful young man whose death has devastated his family.
“He had the most fun-loving personality and was a popular and friendly character.”
The crash happened at 11.40pm on Sunday when the Citroen Saxo left the road.
A 23-year-old man from Easington Colliery, who was also in the car, was taken by ambulance to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, suffering from cuts and bruises.
Durham Police said an officer in an unmarked vehicle had seen the Saxo travelling at speed, on Esssington Way, in Peterlee, and had turned around to follow it.
But before he could stop the car, it left the road and collided through a concrete and metal barrier near to Horden Burn.
The police officer was treated for shock in the aftermath of the crash.
Messages left at the scene read “gone but not forgotten, we will miss you loads,” while those visiting the site told the Echo they could not believe what had happened and added it was “just awful”.
The road was closed for five hours while the accident investigators worked on the scene, with inquiries into the crash continuing.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the crash.
Durham Police’s Inspector Ed Turner said: “This was a tragic death of a young man who was returning home from a night out with a friend.
“We are still working to establish why the car left the road.
“We know that an officer in an unmarked police car had seen the car being driven at speed along Essington Way and turned to follow it with the aim of getting it to stop.
“However, our inquiries have shown that there was no police pursuit in progress and at no time did Glenn fail to stop for the police.”
A message with flowers left at the scene said: “All of the Shotton lot, gone but not forgotten, we will miss you loads.”
Twitter: @Monica_Turnbull
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