Dangerous driver jailed after car crash leaves passenger with life-changing injuries

Adam Richardson, of Dene Avenue, Peterlee, was behind the wheel of a the Ford Focus when it collided with the tree in Hesleden Road, near Blackhall Colliery, leaving himself and three passengers with extensive injuries.

One of the rear seat passengers sustained such serious injuries that they required immediate medical treatment at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and is not expected to ever walk again.

Durham Police have now told how Richardson encouraged the passengers to deny that he was the driver.

The force say he told them to claim he had been a rear seat passenger and that the driver had fled the scene.

But forensic data recovered from the steering wheel airbag, which was deployed in the crash, placed Richardson in the driver’s seat.

He last month admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and perverting the course of justice following the incident on April 3, 2019.

Richardson, 33, was jailed for five years and 11 months when he returned to Durham Crown Court to be sentenced at a separate hearing.

Detective Constable David Airey, of Peterlee CID, said after the case: “Richardson’s actions both in the lead up to the incident and long after it were reckless and callous.

“Almost two years on from the night of the crash, I’m thankful that those affected and their families are now seeing justice.”

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