Father-of-two killed and another man critically injured in motorbike crash following police pursuit

A father-of-two was killed, and another man left in a critical condition, after a motorbike crashed following a police pursuit.

Durham Constabulary said Lee Stevenson, 27, was a passenger on a motorbike that crashed in Peterlee, County Durham, in the early hours of Saturday (25 March) after a brief pursuit by police when it failed to stop.

Despite efforts from emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The driver was also seriously injured and taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Durham Constabulary expressed its condolences to Stevenson's family and friends, who described him as "hardworking, funny" and said he "thought he was invincible".

In a tribute paid on Saturday, the 27-year-old's mother Naomi said: "Today I lost my son Lee, he was only 27. My daughter has lost her brother, and he has left behind two beautiful children.

"Lee was hardworking, funny, and lived life to the max. He thought he was invincible, and I wish he had been.

"He was loved by everyone who knew him and will be missed forever.

"You will be forever in our hearts Lee. Love Mam, Paul and Samantha xxx."

Read more: Homeless man murdered 'kind-hearted' pensioner, 83, who took him in

Stevenson's aunt Wendy added: "Lee was a young lad with his whole life ahead of him. He lived for his children Mason and Ava.

"Lee worked so hard, he was always winding someone up, but he would also do anything for anyone.

"Lee was on the path of sorting his life out and he was the best nephew I could have asked for.

"Lee was a gentleman, a kind-hearted fella and was always full of love and laughs. He will always be remembered as a true mate and will be missed by all his family and friends.”

An investigation has been launched into the collision, which left the road closed for several hours while specialist investigators carried out their enquiries.