A FAMILY has hit out at a van driver who crashed into three parked vehicles and drove away, leaving a trail of destruction in its path.

Shumed Siddique, 29 and his father Abdul Malik of Darlington, said a Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi owned by family members were left severely damaged after the incident on Sunday morning.

Mr Siddique, who lives on Haughton Road where the crash occurred, said their Indian takeaway in Richmond, North Yorkshire had been unable to open as a result.

The Northern Echo:

He told The Northern Echo: “It was a very loud bang, even a couple of neighbours who live about three streets away came out and said they heard the impact.”

CCTV footage of the crash, which is being investigated by Durham Police appears to show a silver van collide into the back of a Mitsubishi at around 8.51am.

The driver of the van is then seen to almost open the door, before proceeding to make off despite leaving the parked cars damaged.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Siddique, who co-owns Delhi-cious on Cutpurse Lane in Richmond with his father, said the takeaway could not open on Sunday evening or Monday evening.

He said: “We had to close again yesterday because we had no choice, we had no car – we open on an evening, and we couldn’t get there.”

Suggesting his Mitsubishi would have to be written off by insurers, Mr Siddique said his sister Yasmin Siddique, who had been given the Mercedes-Benz as a gift, had been left ‘affected’ by the hit and run.

The Northern Echo:

He said: “It has affected Yasmin more than anything as she got her car as a gift – the whole bonnet has gone in, it’s an expensive car.”

Thanking his neighbours who had showed their support to Mr Siddique and his family, he added: “The people of Darlington have been absolutely fantastic – I wish I could personally thank everybody.”

Durham Police confirmed a 40-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of a number of driving offences in relation to the incident.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "We were called to reports of a two vehicle collision shortly before 9am on Sunday morning near Wolsingham Terrace, Darlington.

"It is believed a silver Ford connect van collided with an unattended parked car before making off towards the town centre.

"A further reports was then received at around 9.10am of the same Ford colliding with a second parked vehicle on Haughton road.

"A 40-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, no insurance, dangerous driving and harassment. He has since been released under investigation."