Crash motorist who smashed into van is spared from jail

A crash motorist who shot out of a junction and smashed into an on-coming van injuring the other driver has been given a suspended jail sentence.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th May 2017, 13:34 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2017, 21:43 BST
Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.
Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, May 10, how Joshua James Walker, 21, had been driving at speed along Queen Street, at Newbold, Chesterfield, behind another car and as he pulled out he collided with the van on Newbold Road.

Prosecuting solicitor Lynn Bickley said: “The Mercedes van was on Newbold Road, Chesterfield, approaching Queen Street and New Queen Street junction and two vehicles left Queen Street at speed and the second vehicle was a Vauxhall Vectra being driven by Walker.

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“The Vectra collided with the front, driver’s side of the van causing it to spin 90degrees with both vehicle colliding with a low wall.”

Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.
Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.

Walker fled the scene and the van driver was taken to hospital with injuries including soreness to his neck and a leg and the van was written-off with an insurance pay-out of £4,750.

Police traced Walker, according to Mrs Bickley, after the defendant had left personal belongings behind and his DNA was found on the driver’s airbag which had deployed.

Walker told police he had been the driving the Vectra on September 27, last year, and had misjudged the speed of the on-coming van and he admitted leaving the scene after he had been worried.

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He revealed he had bought the Vectra that same day from a man in Grangewood for £500 and he admitted having no insurance or driving documents.

Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.
Collision on Newbold Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, at the junction with New Queen Street and Queen Street. Pictured supplied by Derbyshire Times reader.

Walker, of Gower Crescent, Loundsley Green, Chesterfield, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, failing to stop, failing to report the accident and to driving without due care and attention and without insurance.

Defence solicitor Steve Brint said Walker left behind in the car £480 in cash and various other items including a letter with his name and address.

Mr Brint added that Walker, who has mental health issues, had suffered injuries too and he had bruising to his ribs and believed he had broken them and he had panicked and fled.

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Magistrates sentenced Walker to eight weeks of custody suspended for 12 months with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for 25 days.

Walker was disqualified from driving for nine months and also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.