Car in fatal roundabout crash belonged to missing Newton Aycliffe man
Officers are liaising with the family of 28-year-old Darren Bennett from Newton Aycliffe, who was last seen on Saturday 27th August.
Police investigating a fatal car crash on a Darlington roundabout say they're liaising with the family of a missing Newton Aycliffe man.
28-year-old Darren Bennett hasn't been since since Saturday 27th August and was reported missing on Tuesday 30th August.
His car, a silver Renualt Megane, was discovered on Saturday morning in thick undergrowth on the roundabout at junction 58 of the A1(M).
It’s thought to have been travelling from Burtree Gate on the A68 when it went through a chevron board before colliding with a number of trees.
The driver, a man thought to be in his twenties was confirmed dead at the scene.
Police say formal identification has not yet taken place, but police are hoping it'll be done in the next 24 hours.
The investigating officer, Sgt Andy Sutherland from the Road Policing Unit said; “Although a formal identification has not so far been possible, we can confirm the car belonged to Mr Bennett and has not been reported stolen.
“A specially-trained liaison officer has been appointed to work with and support his family.
“We understand Darren was last seen on the night of Saturday, 27 August at a party in the Darlington area. However, he was not formally reported missing to police until the following Tuesday, 30th August.
“Since then extensive enquiries have been carried out to find Darren, but there has never been any intelligence to suggest a possible location for his car or a route it could have taken.
“We are pursuing various lines of enquiry to establish when the crash took place, and we would be keen to hear from anyone who might have seen the Megane on the roads at any time since the weekend of August 27th.”
Anyone who can help the police with their enquiries is asked to contact the collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159.