Slurring' Darlington driver left woman needing life-changing surgery after crash

A Durham Crown Court heard that Daniel Smith, from Darlington, caused serious injury to a woman after a head-on crash in April that left her needing life-changing surgery. Prosecutors said Smith was driving a Skoda Octavia toward oncoming cars on Middridge Road near Newton Aycliffe shortly after 8pm on Saturday, April 4. Despite evasive action by another driver, Smith’s vehicle collided with a Peugeot 308 driven in the opposite direction. The victim was rendered unconscious and later collapsed in the accident and emergency department due to internal bleeding, leading to surgery including removal of her spleen. After 14 days in hospital, she returned daily for dressing changes and developed an infection. Smith admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving at a plea hearing on July 21, after police found signs of intoxication and a roadside drug wipe positive for cocaine, though later toxicology was insufficient to charge drug driving. Sentencing was set after victim testimony at a Sept. 4 hearing.