Suspected drink driver arrested after car crashes into pole and bus stop on busy Sunderland road

This was the aftermath of a collision on a busy Sunderland road which led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of drink driving.

By Fiona Thompson

Published 8th May 2021, 17:46 BST- 2 min read

Updated 8th May 2021, 17:54 BST

Northumbria Police were called to the Springwell Road at 3.45pm today, Saturday, May 8, following the crash involving a Renault Clio and the shelter outside Springwell Health Centre.

It followed a report of a suspected drink driver who was seen in the area of the Hylton Lane Estate a short distance away.

A bus stop pole was knocked down and a glass panel was also cleared by the impact of the vehicle, leaving glass shattered across the pavement.

The front of the Renault Clio was left damaged by the collision.

The front of the Renault Clio was left damaged by the collision.

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Springwell Road – the B1405 – was closed off while inquiries got under way and the scene was cleared, with house-to-house inquiries seen to be carried out by officers.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At 3.45pm today we received a report of a suspected drink driver who was seen travelling in the Hollinside Road area of Sunderland.

“The driver then lost control of his vehicle and later crashed into a bus stop on Springwell Road.

The car struck a bus stop pole and a section of the glass panel of the shelter.

The car struck a bus stop pole and a section of the glass panel of the shelter.

"Thankfully, nobody was injured.

“A man has been arrested on suspicion of driving when above the legal alcohol limit and remains in police custody.

"The road was temporarily closed but has since reopened.

The car’s airbags were deployed in the incident and significant damage was caused to the front of the car.

Northumbria Police officers and Sunderland City Council workers on the scene.

Northumbria Police officers and Sunderland City Council workers on the scene.

A team of Sunderland City Council workers later arrived to clear the scene of debris.

Anyone with information which could help with inquiries can contact Northumbria Police on 101 or pass on information via the Tell Us Something page of its website.

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