Lancashire man sentenced after driving off from crash

The driver of the other car needed hospital treatment

Author: Harry BoothPublished 12th Jan 2023

A Lancashire man has been sentenced after driving off from a crash that he was involved in.

Officers were called to Bispham Road at the junction with Norwood Road in Southport at 11:30pm on Tuesday 14 June 2021 after reports of a crash involving a Renault Clio and Vauxhall Astra van.

The driver of the Clio, a 17-year-old boy, needed hospital treatment after suffering from shock and a concussion.

The driver of the Astra van made off without stopping or reporting what happened.

That Astra driver was 48-year-old David Hargreaves.

He was identified and charged following extensive police enquiries and help from the public and victim's family.

Matrix Roads Policing Sergeant Christine Walker said:

"For Hargreaves to drive off from such a serious collision without a thought as to the condition of the other driver beggars belief.

"Hargreaves pled not guilty causing the victim to endure the stress of having to give evidence at trial and even though he was found guilty it does not make up for the shock and injuries to his young victim, who went through an awful ordeal in 2021.

"We are continuing to support the family and I’d like to thank them and those members of the public who shared information, to ensure Hargreaves was brought to justice.

"CCTV, dashcam, doorbell footage and witnesses all mean that it is highly unlikely that people can get away with such flagrant disregard for those who damage vehicles, injure road users and attempt to leave the scene."

Hargreaves, of Southport Road, Scarisbrick, has been found guilty of driving without due care and attention, failing to stop and failing to report a road traffic collision.

He's been disqualified from driving for nine months, given a 12-month community order, ordered to take 200 hours unpaid work and pay £800 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

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