Lorry drivers admit driving wrong way along A19 near Hartlepool while over limit

Two lorry drivers who drove the wrong way along a busy dual carriageway while over the drink-drive limit have been remanded in custody until they learn their fate.
By Gavin Ledwith
Published 18th Jun 2020, 13:06 BST
Updated 18th Jun 2020, 16:14 BST
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The pair have both admitted dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol following an incident on the A19, near the A689 Hartlepool and Sedgefield turn off, on Sunday, June 14.

Motorists suffered tailbacks lasting more than two hours after the lorries drove southbound on the northbound carriageway at around 9pm.

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Arunas Valacka, 43, of Berzu, Alytus, Lithuania, and Andrei Vasilachi, 58, of Vladtepech, Chichiwav, Moldova, were arrested at the scene by police and each charged with both offences.

Police and one of the lorries at the scene of Sunday night's incident. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.Police and one of the lorries at the scene of Sunday night's incident. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.
Police and one of the lorries at the scene of Sunday night's incident. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.

They were remanded in custody after they appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court, in Middlesbrough, earlier this week and will be sentenced at nearby Teesside Crown Court on an as yet unfixed date.

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Tailbacks formed following the incident on the A19. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.Tailbacks formed following the incident on the A19. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.
Tailbacks formed following the incident on the A19. Picture courtesy of David Tarran.

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