One man arrested after suspected stolen BMW drives off at 'high speed' from police and crashes into roundabout

A man has been arrested after a BMW believed to have been stolen from outside a Sunderland house following a domestic incident crashed into a roundabout off the A19 when it drove off from police at “high speed.”

By Fiona Thompson

Published 13th Apr 2021, 10:54 BST

Updated 13th Apr 2021, 11:31 BST

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Police sealed off the A182 between the A19 interchange at Murton and closed off access from the A19 exit sliproad following a crash on the roundabout which links the roads at 4.20am today, Tuesday, April 13.

The Highways Agency confirmed at 11.30am the A19 sliproad had since reopened.

The North East Ambulance Service has confirmed it was called to the scene at 4.43am to reports of a road traffic collision on the junction.

The crash happened on the round about which links the A19 with the A182. Image copyright Google.

The crash happened on the round about which links the A19 with the A182. Image copyright Google.

It dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene, taking one patient to Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.

Now, as the route between the roundabout and the Fox Cover Industrial Estate at Dawdon remains closed off to traffic and a diversion is in place, Northumbria Police has released details of the incident.

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It has revealed a 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of taking the vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol.

A force spokesperson said: “At about 4.20am we received a report that a vehicle had been taken without the owner’s consent following a domestic incident at an address in the Grangetown area of Sunderland.

"Officers deployed to the area and the vehicle was sighted a short time later travelling onto the A19 from East Herrington.

"The vehicle was signalled to stop but made off from police at high speed before later colliding with a roundabout near the slip road junction of the A182.

"The driver made off from the vehicle on foot but was detained by police and arrested on suspicion of taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

"He was taken to hospital for treatment to non-life threatening injuries where he currently remains.

"The road remains closed southbound as inquiries into the collision continue.”

The Highways Agency has confirmed the road is closed off due to a police incident and urged drivers to leave extra time for their journey because of the diversion.

Go North East has said services 202, X6, X9 and X10 are facing slight delays due to the collision.

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