Van driver arrested after crashing into woman and her dogs before colliding with a bus and assaulting a man in Sunderland

Officers were called at 8.40am on Wednesday, December 16 to a report of a suspected hit and run on Durham Road, Sunderland.

It was reported that a van had collided with a woman and her dogs who were walking on the pavement.

Nobody was seriously injured, but one dog required veterinary treatment.

Police say the van left the scene before it collided with a bus on Chester Road.

A member of the public is believed to have confronted the man, who then assaulted him before making off on foot.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while above the legal limit of alcohol or drugs and assault and has been released under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 and quoting reference NP-20211215-0171.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters.

Your support for our journalism means we can continue telling Sunderland’s stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe - and click here to get a snapshot of the Echo’s news and sport to your inbox through our email newsletters.