Man, 22, remanded over A1 Bowburn chase death
Jul 22 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with causing the death of a motorist whose car was hit head-on during a police chase.
Barry Taylor, 22, who is from Chester-le-Street, but whose address was given as no fixed abode, spoke only to confirm his name and age during a two-minute hearing before Consett magistrates in County Durham.
He was charged with causing the death of William Forrest by dangerous driving, and burglary of car keys and a mobile phone.
Taylor, slightly built with neat dark hair, and wearing a dark T-shirt and blue tracksuit trousers, was arrested in Sunderland Royal Infirmary after treatment for facial injuries.
He is alleged to have suffered the injuries during a police pursuit on the A1(M), in which a Mitsubishi 4x4 crashed through the central reservation and hit a Peugeot 306 at Bowburn early on Friday.
Taylor is also accused of breaking into a house in Pelaw Road, Chester-le-Street, and stealing the keys to three cars, including the Mitsubishi, and a mobile phone.
Mickaela Clarss, prosecuting, successfully applied to the court for Taylor to be remanded in custody to appear at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday next week.
Mr Forrest, known to friends as Billy, of Walbottle, near Newcastle, suffered severe injuries and was declared dead by paramedics at the scene of the crash. He lived with his partner and had two grown-up sons who live in Scotland.
Mr Forrest had worked for a printer in Darlington for two years and was on his way to work when the tragedy happened at 5.40am.
Police said the Mitsubishi had been tracked by vehicle recognition cameras on to the Aycliffe industrial estate at Newton Aycliffe. The vehicle travelled on to the A167 before turning on to the A1(M) and heading north.
Police drivers and a police helicopter followed it.
Up to four marked police cars were involved, all said to be using sirens and blue lights. They surrounded the Mitsubishi and tried to bring it to a controlled stop, but the driver allegedly veered into the crash barrier.
The police drivers were said to be deeply shocked by the tragic end to the incident.
On Friday the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would not investigate the incident. Durham Police force launched its own investigation.
