Saffron Lane crash that left car on roof witnessed by cyclist

An eyewitness has described the moment a car struck the side of a van and rolled over onto its roof on Leicester’s Saffron Lane[1]. The crash happened early yesterday (Thursday, June 27) near the Duncan Road junction and the driver of the upside-down car got out and fled the scene on foot.

A cyclist, who didn’t want to be named, told LeicestershireLive: “The crash happened in Saffron Lane between Grace Road and Duncan Road. I think the red car was going somewhere near 80mph – he was really flying – and the police were pursuing him.

“There’s a pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road and the car tried to squeeze between it and a silver van. It hit the rear wheel of the van and flipped over.

“The driver absconded into nearby gardens. He left behind a large machete in the car. He was running fine, so I don’t think he was injured.

“The driver of the silver van had hurt his shoulder but he didn’t have treatment and was picked up by his wife a little later. I was told the red car had been stolen in a burglary.”

The Audi A1 on its roof
The Audi struck a silver VW Transporter van before flipping over

After the crash Leicestershire Police[3] warned motorists they were shutting several roads in the area during the hunt for the man. Heathcott Road, Bloomfield Road, Apple Crescent and Oakleas Road were all temporarily closed.

A man was later arrested[4] in the area. Today police said the man who was arrested had been charged with several offences in connection with the incident.

A police spokesman said: “Jordan Hindmarsh, 26, of no fixed abode, has been charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place. He is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates’ Court this morning.”

References

  1. ^ rolled over onto its roof on Leicester’s Saffron Lane (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ Recap after ‘traffic incident’ shuts multiple roads near Saffron Lane (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ Leicestershire Police (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ A man was later arrested (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)