A man has been taken to hospital after being injured by a driver trying to flee from police.
Shortly after midnight on Friday, a black VW Passat failed to stop when instructed by police on Grange Road in Jarrow.
The vehicle then accelerated away from police and collided head-on with a grey Citroen Xsara Picasso.
Emergency services attended and the driver of the Citroen was taken to hospital with a broken arm and non-life threatening back injuries.
A 34-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving and remains in police custody and is assisting officers with their enquiries.
Sergeant Dave Roberts, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols department, is now keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw either of the vehicles in the area before the incident.
“This was clearly a very serious collision that resulted in one driver being taken to hospital with a broken arm and injuries to his back,” Sgt Roberts said.
“This kind of collision could easily have resulted in more serious injury or even a fatality. Officers are now carrying out enquiries into the collision itself and the events that preceded it.
“If anybody saw either vehicle travelling through Jarrow town centre towards Priory Road in the minutes before the collision, or has dashcam footage that can assist with the investigation, we would like to hear from you.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 3 011119 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, you can email 541@northumbria.pnn.police.uk .
