A reckless driver who crashed a stolen car, left a passenger with life-changing injuries, and then denied being responsible has been jailed.
Adam Richardson, of Dene Avenue, Peterlee, was behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Focus when it collided with a tree on Hesleden Road near Blackhall Colliery on April 3, 2019.
The collision left him and three passengers with extensive injuries.
One of the rear seat passengers sustained such serious injuries that they required immediate medical treatment at James Cook University Hospital and are not expected to ever walk again.
Richardson then encouraged the passengers to deny that he was the driver, instead claiming he had been a rear seat passenger and that the driver had fled the scene.
But forensic data recovered from the steering wheel airbag, which was deployed in the crash, placed Richardson in the driver’s seat.
He was subsequently charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, and perverting the course of justice.
Appearing at Durham Crown Court on Friday, January 29, 33-year-old Richardson was sentenced to five years and 11 months imprisonment.
DC David Airey, of Peterlee CID, said: “Richardson’s actions both in the lead up to the incident and long after it were reckless and callous.
“Almost two years on from the night of the crash, I’m thankful that those affected and their families are now seeing justice.”
