Driver fled after wrong-way bridge crash

Mahan Hossaini went the wrong way over the flyover off Redheugh Bridge

A driver fled after he crashed head-on into a taxi, having gone the wrong way round a blind corner, a court has heard.

Mahan Hossaini, 25, smashed his Volvo into an oncoming car while heading into Gateshead off the Redheugh Bridge in September, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The other driver suffered multiple injuries and said he feared he was going to be killed when he saw Hossaini coming at him.

Hossaini, from Stoke-on-Trent, admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident and was jailed for 24 weeks, suspended for a year.

The taxi driver was travelling towards Newcastle over the flyover that leads on to the bridge at about 02:00 BST on 20 September 2024, prosecutor Michael Bunch said.

The road in that section is a one-way carriageway with a 50mph limit, the court heard.

As he rounded the corner at about 45mph, he was confronted by Hossaini's Volvo travelling "very fast" directly towards him, the court heard.

After the crash, in which the taxi driver suffered head injuries and whiplash, Hossaini fled the scene on foot, the court heard.

'Got confused'

Mr Bunch said Hossaini had travelled south across the bridge, where there are two lanes going in each direction, then "failed to note" the overhead gantry telling him which lane to be in, white lines on the road surface and a "keep left" bollard before going into the oncoming lane round the "blind bend".

It was a "serious mistake" and there was no chance of avoiding the collision, the prosecutor said.

In mitigation, Sue Hirst said Hossaini had been attending a birthday party in Newcastle and did not know the road.

She said there was no barrier between the two sides of the road until partway up the slope and he had "got confused".

Hossaini was in shock and panic when he fled, she added.

Recorder Thomas Moran said one of the worst features of the case was Hossaini's "cowardly" decision to flee.

The judge said the victim had been severely impacted by the crash and had feared he was going to be killed.

Hossaini, of Lindop Court, must also pay £1,000 costs and do 150 hours unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for three weeks.

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