Three youths arrested after taxi accident
THREE boys were arrested on suspicion of numerous offences after a suspected stolen Range Rover and taxi crashed during a police pursuit.
Cleveland Police has confirmed that the taxi driver, who suffered serious injuries in the collision on Bridge Road, has been treated for a fractured rib and knee.
Pictures show the damage to both vehicles in the aftermath of the crash near the junction with Parkfield Road, in Stockton.
As The Gazette previously reported, police were in pursuit of a suspected stolen vehicle when the crash occurred at around 2.30am on Thursday morning.
The road was closed for a number of hours while an investigation was carried out.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class C drug, possession of a knife, failing to stop, dangerous driving, no insurance, failure to provide a specimen and theft of a motor vehicle.
Another 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug, failure to provide a specimen, drug driving, no insurance, no licence and theft of a motor vehicle.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, drugdriving, possession of a knife, no insurance, no licence, dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle. The force has confirmed all three have been bailed pending further enquiries.
The taxi driver suffered a fractured rib and fractured knee during the incident and was taken to hospital by paramedics.
Cleveland Police has notified the IOPC of this incident and a referral will be made.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson for Boro Cars said: “This tragic incident involving a hard-working taxi driver should never have happened. A member of the driver’s family has confirmed that the driver remains in hospital and is receiving treatment.
“Our thoughts are with the driver and his family and we all wish the driver a full recovery.”