THE driver of a van involved in a collision with a motorcycle is prepared to admit responsibility for the crash, due to his careless driving.

But the prosecution intends to pursue the original charge against Rickie Lee Foster, that he caused the serious injury accident, on Thursday June 11 last year, by dangerous driving.

The issue will now be resolved at a trial, at Durham Crown Court, next month.

It follows the crash involving the defendant’s Mercedes Sprinter van and the victim’s Harley Davidson, at a crossroads junction between Main Road and Eldon Bank, at Close House, Eldon, near Bishop Auckland.

The 56-year-old motorcyclist, from Newton Aycliffe, was taken to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, suffering serious injuries, after the late afternoon collision.

Appearing at a plea hearing, at the court today (Monday February 8), the charge of causing the accident by dangerous driving was put to the 22-year-old defendant.

He pleaded ‘not guilty’, but, added, ‘guilty’ to causing the accident by careless driving.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said the plea was “not acceptable” to the Crown, and the case was adjourned for a trial on the dangerousness issue, expected last for one day-plus.

The 22-year-old defendant, of Eden Terrace, Leasingthorne, near Bishop Auckland, was bailed to return for the start of the trial, on Thursday March 3.