The inquest of a man who died in a New Year's Eve crash has been opened and suspended after a man appeared in court over his death.
Michael Gilbin died from injuries sustained in a two vehicle collision on Durham Road in Sunderland on December 31 2019.
Two other occupants, a man and a woman, were also taken to hospital where they received treatment for serious injuries.
In September, Lewis Urban was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Urban, 23, of Thomas Street, Ryhope, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he did not enter a plea to the charges. He was granted unconditional bail until his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on December 22.
On Thursday, an inquest into Mr Gilbin's death at Newcastle Coroner's Court was opened and suspended while the criminal case takes place.
Police were called to Durham Road in Sunderland following a report of a two-vehicle collision at around 8.15pm on December 31 last year.
The crash had happened at the junction of the A690 and Premier Road, which is known locally as Prospect Junction.
Paramedics attended but Michael Giblin, 32, of Hendon, died as a result of his injuries on January 10.
