A POLICE chase came to an abrupt end when the suspect’s car crashed into a van.

The car careered off the road after officers deployed a stinger device – designed to bring a vehicle to a halt by puncturing its tyres.

But instead of bringing it to a gradual halt, the car veered into the van which was waiting at a roundabout in Geneva Road, Darlington, at about 10am yesterday.

The man being pursued – a local man in his late twenties – was wanted on suspicion of driving while disqualified, but sparked off the pursuit when he ignored requests to stop.

The stinger was deployed close to the junction of Geneva Road and Harris Street, in the Eastbourne area of the town, where the chase came to an end. A spokesman for Durham Police said: “The car was pursued for a short time by police before being brought to a halt when a stinger was deployed.

“The driver (of the car) was taken to hospital for an injury to his leg which is not believed to be serious.

“When the car came to a halt, it collided with a van which was stationary at a roundabout, giving way to traffic.

“The driver (of the van) received minor injuries and was also taken to hospital.

“A full investigation is now being carried out by the road policing unit.”

A section of the road was closed while the wreckage was removed and the scene inspected by officers.

The car driver will be interviewed by police once he is released from hospital.

Witnesses reported a heavy police presence in the area in the aftermath of the incident, while vehicles were diverted away from the scene.

The road reopened at 11.50am, although Darlington Borough Council workers were still working to clear fluids from the road after that time.

Any witnesses to the incident, or who may have seen a metallic blue Ford Escort driving in the Yarm Road area of Darlington about 10am yesterday are asked to call police on 0345-60-60- 365.