Man appears in court after death of 24-year-old in car chase in Sunderland
A man has appeared in court charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of a woman in a car smash on the A19 at Sunderland in the early hours of Sunday, March 1.
Kane Farragher, 24, is alleged to have been driving a BMW which drove at up to 100mph on the wrong side of the 70mph dual carriageway while being pursued by police.
The vehicle collided with an oncoming taxi, killing Taylor Jenkins, the front seat passenger in the BMW, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor Chike Anieto said the vehicle was registered to Ms Jenkins, who died at the scene.
Rear seat passenger Oliver Peas suffered injuries and is believed to be in a serious condition in hospital, and the taxi driver suffered minor injuries.
Farragher, of no fixed abode, was not asked to enter pleas to charges of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving while disqualified, and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Mr Anieto said police were likely to bring other charges against Farragher.
He said: “This matter is a matter that needs to go to the crown court. It’s a sad incident in relation to the circumstances that this matter appears before the court today.
“The defendant was driving a BMW, registered to the deceased, Taylor Jenkins. She was the front seat passenger and another male, Oliver Peas was in the rear.
“There was a stop request matter made on that day on that vehicle by Police Scotland and when officers sighted the vehicle in Gateshead, attempts were made to stop the vehicle, at which point the defendant failed to stop and made off at high speed.
“Driving in excess of 100mph, he drove around a roundabout the wrong way and entered the A19 northbound whilst driving the wrong way south, into the face of oncoming traffic.
“The defendant continued to drive at high speed southbound in the northbound lane, before colliding head on with a taxi driver.
“The defendant was removed from the vehicle and arrested. Taylor Jenkins, unfortunately, was declared deceased at the scene
“Mr Peas was taken to hospital with life threatening injuries. The taxi driver sustained some minor injuries.
“There are more charges that are still going to be put to the defendant, that are being processed at this time.”
Harry Burn, defending, did not apply for bail for Farragher, who appeared in the dock, wearing a grey long-sleeved sweatshirt.
Farragher was remanded into custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, March 31.
Northumbria Police has previously confirmed its officers were pursuing a white BMW, which had failed to stop at 2.55am.
The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has confirmed it will be conducting an independent investigation.