A DRIVER is due to appear in court following the death of a nine-year-old boy.

A 26-year-old woman has been charged with causing death by careless driving following the incident in late February on Marina Way, in Hartlepool.

Ethan Owens sustained life-threatening injuries after being involved in the crash on February 27 before he was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

His condition was described as critical and he died a week after the incident.

The driver will appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, in Middlesbrough, in relation to the charge at a date yet to be confirmed.