Co Derry student who 'panicked' after single vehicle collision later reported it to police
A young Co Derry student who ‘panicked’ and ran off after crashing into a telegraph pole and wall outside Maghera, was fined a total of £150 and handed five penalty points at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The court heard that police received a report of a single vehicle collision on Glen Road, Maghera, at approximately 6.52pm on November 18 last year.
Twenty-year-old Jack Atkinson, of FInvola Road, Dungiven, admitted failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and failing to remain at the scene.
Prosecuting counsel said witnesses reported to police seeing the defendant running off following the collision.
She said police checks showed the vehicle was owned by Atkinson.
A defence solicitor said the defendant had lost his glasses in the collision and had simply panicked, as he did not know where he was, and made off to other family members.
He stressed that Atkinson had contacted the police, and pleaded with the court to give him credit for an early plea.