The two-vehicle collision happened shortly after 1.15am on Sunday morning (May 22) on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), close to the J62 junction for Durham city.
A statement from Durham Constabulary said: “A woman sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision and was taken to hospital, where she remains.
“A 24-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.
"He has since been charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.”
The man has been remanded in police custody to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court this morning (May 24).