POLICE have named the driver killed in a car smash as Glenn Robinson.
The 22-year-old, of Bridge Road, Shotton Colliery, died and another man was injured in a car crash on Sunday, February 11.
Mr Robinson, who was driving a Citroen Saxo, was pronounced dead at the scene after the smash at 11.40pm near Grants Houses, in Horden.
The 23-year-old passenger from Easington Colliery was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he was treated for cuts and bruises to his head and legs.
Durham Police are now investigation the fatal smash after an officer in an unmarked police vehicle saw the car travelling at speed along Essington Way, in Peterlee.
The officer turned around to follow the car but before any attempts could be made to get it to stop, the Saxo had left the carriageway and crashed into a concrete wall.
The road was closed for five hours after the horror smash.
The police officer was treated for shock.
A full investigation is being led by the force’s roads policing unit (RPU).
A post-mortem examination has been carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr Mark Egan, who found that death was due to head injuries.
Inspector Ed Turner, from the RPU, said: “This was a tragic death of a young man who was returning home from a night out with a friend.
“We are still working to establish why the car left the road. We know that an officer in an unmarked police car had seen the car being driven at speed along Essington Way and turned to follow it with the aim of getting it to stop.
“However, our enquiries have shown that there was no police pursuit in progress and at no time did Glenn fail to stop for the police.”
In a statement Glenn’s family said this afternoon: “Glenn was a kind and thoughtful young man whose death has devastated his family.
“He was the eldest of three children and was working for Durham County Council in the gardening division. He had the most fun-loving personality, was a popular and friendly character and was engaged to be married.”
The Independent Police Complains Commission has been notified and is being kept informed of on-going enquiries.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and ask for the roads policing unit.
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