A DRIVER has died after his car crashed into a lamppost.

The man was driving a Peugeot car along Picktree Lane in Chester-le-Street at lunchtime yesterday (TUES) when the car drifted across the carriageway and hit a lamppost and parked car.

The 77-year-old, who comes from the Washington area, was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the accident, which happened at noon near the junction with the A1(M) interchange at Junction 63.

Sgt Simon Kestle, of Durham Police, said: “It is understood that the male driver of the Peugeot car was heading towards the junction with the motorway when for reasons unknown, he has drifted off the main carriageway and collided with a lamppost and a parked car”.

Police would like to speak with anyone who saw the collision.

Anybody with any information is requested to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 3752159 or the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference DHM-03022015-0143.