Police confirm arrest of man for 'dangerous driving' after Darlington five-car crash

Police have confirmed the arrest of a man involved in a five-car crash following a pursuit through Darlington last night (Saturday, May 26|).

An Audi being pursued by the police collided with parked cars on Alwyn Road, causing a pile-up with one car perched precariously on the roof of another as others were shunted down the road.

Durham Police have released a statement saying a 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop and possession of a bladed article.

He has since been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.

Eyewitnesses described hearing the crash and seeing the driver get out and try to hide under a car, before running away from the police. He was swiftly caught and arrested near the scene. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Resident Joe Moore: "We were just sat on the couch at about 10.30pm and heard all the commotion and looked out of the window.

"It was quite surreal to see a car propped up outside your property.

"The guy who crashed got out of his car and crawled under the one on its side and then ran down the street, obviously trying to get away. The police were there pretty fast and had him in seconds."

Mr Moore said he understood there had been a car chase through Darlington.

He said: "There was a car that made off from the police somewhere. They were chasing him down Bowman Street, and then crossed Longfield Road and into Alwyn Road.

"The Audi, which was trying to get away from the police crashed into a dark Hyundai pushing it onto the roof of a BMW.

The BWM in turn was pushed into a white car which then shunted into a BMW belonging to Mr Moore.

Mr Moore said: "I understand there are other people who saw the chase in different parts of the town. If someone was walking there they would have been dead."

Patrol cars converged on the scene, as police cordoned off the road while they dealt with the incident.

A man was seen led away in handcuffs.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "A man has been arrested following a collision in Darlington last night.

"Police attended the collision on Alwyn Road shortly after 10.30pm on Saturday (May 25).

"Five vehicles were damaged in the incident but thankfully nobody was hurt.

"The road was closed for several hours whilst recovery of the vehicles took place.

"A 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop and possession of a bladed article.

"He has since been released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out."

The scene has been cleared, with debris still visible on the road this morning (Sunday).

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The scene in Alwyn Road, Darlington, on Sunday morning (Image: Sarah Caldecott)