A young driver has been fined and banned from driving after his friend suffered serious injuries when the Vauxhall Corsa they were travelling in crashed into a tree and caught fire in Hexham.
Jordan Reynolds, of Infield, Redburn, Hexham, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving. He was fined £1,800, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £720 victim surcharge, and disqualified from driving for 14 months.
Crash on Lowgate left passenger seriously injured
South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court heard that Reynolds and his friend were travelling along Lowgate on January 18, 2025. Reynolds was driving at 60mph, which was the speed limit, when he lost control on a bend.
The car struck a tree and immediately burst into flames. Both occupants managed to escape, but the vehicle was destroyed.
The 22-year-old passenger was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he underwent emergency surgery to his bowel. Prosecutors said he also suffered broken ribs, a displaced disc in his back, a collapsed lung and extensive bruising.
He was fitted with a stoma bag following the operation. The court heard that it had since been removed and that he had recovered.
Tyres below legal limit found after collision
Clare Haswell, prosecuting, said the passenger had been wearing a seatbelt and had not been concerned about Reynolds’ driving. He could not recall the crash and said his next memory was waking up at the RVI the following day.
A subsequent examination of the Corsa found that its two back tyres had treads below the legal limit. Reynolds also suffered injuries in the crash, including a broken ankle and a torn knee tendon, but the court heard he had made a full recovery.
Reynolds later rang his friend to apologise. The pair remained friends, the court heard.
Passenger described lasting impact
In a statement, the injured man said: “The crash has had a terrible affect on my life.”
He said he had been forced to cancel planned holidays to Ibiza and Zante because he could not travel with a stoma bag. He added: “I'm still friends with Jordan but I'm frustrated with him crashing and injuring me like this. It will have long-lasting consequences on my life.”
Michael Gibson, defending, said Reynolds had no previous convictions, was remorseful and had always admitted being the driver. He said Reynolds was not speeding and that the car’s rear began to slide as it went around the bend.
Mr Gibson said the car then hit a grass verge, which changed its direction and made the collision with the tree unavoidable.