Child, four, still fighting for his life after car slammed into him and teenager in Bristol: Man, 18, admits to causing crash then fleeing on foot
A child is still fighting for his life after a car veered off the road and slammed into him and a teenager in Bristol.
A child is still fighting for his life after a car veered off the road and slammed into him and a teenager in Bristol.
An 18-year-old man has admitted causing serious injury to the four-year-old by dangerous driving, police said.
James Doherty, of no fixed address, was charged following the collision in the Lawrence Weston area of Bristol on November 17.
Doherty fled the scene on foot before officers arrested him later that afternoon.
Avon and Somerset Police said a BMW driven by Doherty left the road and collided with a four-year-old boy and a woman aged in her late teens shortly before 2pm.
The boy remains in hospital in a critical condition, while the woman sustained a leg injury and has since been discharged to continue her recovery.
Police said he appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
A toddler is fighting for his life after a car veered off the road and slammed into him and a teenager in Bristol. James Doherty (pictured) was charged following the collision in the Lawrence Weston area of Bristol on November 17
Avon and Somerset Police said a BMW driven by Doherty left the road and collided with a four-year-old boy and a woman aged in her late teens shortly before 2pm on Sunday. Pictured: Emergency services attending the scene in Long Cross, Bristol
David Paniccia Brown, a serious collision investigator, said: Dohertys driving was utterly reckless and has left a very young boy in hospital with incredibly serious injuries.
His decision to drive in the manner he did put lives at risk and his decision to run away immediately after the collision in an attempt to avoid the consequences of his actions, rather than try and help, were cowardly.
Our thoughts remain with the boys family who have been updated on this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
Id like to thank all the officers involved in ensuring we were able to quickly put a strong case before the court and ensure this conviction.
Doherty was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on December 17.
Police said the incident had caused concern within the Lawrence Weston community, with officers carrying out additional reassurance patrols in the area since Sunday.
Police had previously been hunting for a blonde woman, described as white, who was understood to have been wearing a black puffer coat, blue jeans and light-colored shoes.
Avon and Somerset Police are describing the incident as shocking and say it has caused concern in the area.
A spokesman for the force said: A four-year-old boy remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
David Paniccia Brown, a serious collision investigator, said: Dohertys driving was utterly reckless and has left a very young boy in hospital with incredibly serious injuries. Here is another image which shows emergency services attending the scene
An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs remains in police custody.
It follows a collision on Long Cross, near its junction with Kings Weston Road, shortly before 2pm.
We were called at 1.51pm following a report that a BMW car had left the road and collided with the boy.
He was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition. His family are being supported by specially trained officers.
Neighbourhood Inspector Serena Serjeant added: This was a shocking collision and our thoughts remain with the young boy and his family at this time.
Understandably, this incident has caused concern in the Lawrence Weston community and Id like to assure everyone that a full and thorough investigation is already well underway.
