Driver faces jail over police chase crash

Daniel Kennedy, who was at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta, had ignored a request by an officer to stop amid suspicion he had been using his mobile phone at the wheel, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The 22-year-old slowed before ‘shooting off’ at speed through a red traffic light onto Smethwick High Street, narrowly missing a bus, said Mr Philip Brunt, prosecuting.

The police officer slowed as the pursuit became ‘too dangerous’.

Shortly afterwards Kennedy was going the wrong way round a traffic island in nearby Church Road when the Fiesta crashed into the bike, the court heard.

The car then headed on the wrong side of the road into Rosefield Road, said Mr Brunt.

The motorcyclist later said: “I could do nothing to avoid the car, which hit me head on. My chin hit the bonnet and my legs went over my head and hit the roof. I was carried along on the bonnet until I rolled of.”

A check-up at hospital revealed he had not broken any bones in the incident on April 3.

The Fiesta, which had no registered keeper, was found abandoned in Westfield Road.

Clothes on the back seat carried the embroidered name of a local firm.

A suspect was identified by police in talks with the company and the defendant was recognised by the officer involved in the pursuit, concluded Mr Brunt.

Mr Anthony Bell, defending, said the chase had been of ‘relatively short duration’. The case was adjourned.

Kennedy, of Clifton Street, Cradley Heath, admitted dangerous driving and other motoring offences including failing to stop after an accident. He was remanded on bail.

Judge Nicholas Webb said: “To drive like this and continue to do so after knocking that man off his motorcycle has to end in a sentence of imprisonment.”