A PASSENGER who died when the car he was travelling hit a lamppost over the weekend has been formally identified.

Shaun Storey, aged 27 from Connolly Terrace in Blackhall Mill, near Chopwell, was killed on the A692 in the Moorisde area of Consett shortly before 5.40am on Saturday.

He was the front seat passenger in a Peugeot 206 and was confirmed dead at the scene.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “The car had been travelling eastbound from the direction of Castleside towards Consett when, as it took a right hand bend near to The Grove Methodist Church it left the road and collided with the lamppost.

“The driver of the vehicle, a 25-year-old man from the Blaydon area was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and for failure to provide a sample.

“He is currently on police bail while enquiries continue, and was also treated for a minor head injury at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191-375-2159.