A CYCLIST was seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision with a car driven by an unlicensed motorist who was being pursued by police.

The victim, who has no memory of the incident, was thrown from his bike after being hit by John Gareth Wilson who was driving the speeding Vauxhall Astra.

Durham Crown Court heard that the pursuing police patrol officer stopped at the scene, in Walker Drive on the Woodhouse Close Estate in Bishop Auckland, to help the stricken cyclist until paramedics could arrive.

Rachael Masters, prosecuting, said inquiries established that the Astra was abandoned after crashing into the fence of a house in nearby St Helen Auckland.

The Northern Echo: SCENE: Accident scene in Walker Driver, Bishop Auckland, after John Wilson struck cyclist and drove off, on May 17.
SCENE: Accident scene in Walker Driver, Bishop Auckland, after John Wilson struck cyclist and drove off, on May 17

The 37-year-old was found and arrested at a nearby farm, where he appeared heavily intoxicated, although not through alcohol.

He gave negative test results for the presence of cocaine and cannabis, but refused to give a blood sample to test for other substances.

Miss Masters said his speech was slurred and he failed a ‘straight leg’ test, but declined to comment when asked if he had taken any other substances.

The court was told concern was raised over the manner of his driving earlier, on May 17, and police came across the Astra, in Bishop Auckland, shortly before 10am.

It was followed, and despite deployment of the police blue light and siren, the Astra was driven off “at speed”.

Miss Masters said Wilson made late turning manoeuvres, drove on the wrong side of the road, almost hit a dog being walked across a road, and caused other motorists to take evading action.

She told the court the 27-year-old cyclist suffered fractures to the neck and pelvis, multiple abrasions and scalp lacerations and was taken to James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough. He is still awaiting neurological tests.

Wilson, of Cornwall Place, Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, admitted serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to provide a blood specimen for analysis and driving without a licence.

The court heard that his record includes offences for failing to stop for police and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

John Turner, mitigating said Wilson was on a methadone programme and had also taken prescription drugs.

“His first reaction was that he panicked, but he was concerned, ‘about the lad’.”

Mr Turner said the defendant had written a letter of apology.

But, Recorder Anton Lodge told Wilson: “Having crashed into that cyclist and caused him to be thrown into the air, you drove off, without giving a care for how he was.”

Walker was jailed for three years and banned from driving for three years on his release.