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Aug 12, 2023

Whitefield: Driver on trial after fatal Bury New Road crash

A driver has gone on trial accused of running off after killing another man in

A driver has gone on trial accused of running off after killing another man in a car crash.

Usher Donson, 26, was brought before Bolton Crown Court accused of causing death by dangerous driving after a crash on Bury New Road, Whitefield, on November 4, 2021 which killed 31-year-old Aaron Jarvis.

At a trial this week the court heard from a witness who claimed to have seen a man in a black Nike jacket and another man in a camouflage jacket run away from the scene of a crashed silver BMW.

Usman Tahir, who had been driving another vehicle on his way to work, said: "The one with the black jacket ran off first, then the other man ran off after him.

The trial is taking place at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

"One of them shouted, ‘hey we need to go.’

"I feel like it was the driver, the one with the black jacket."

Mr Tahrir said his own vehicle had been struck, leaving it with a dent, before the BMW crashed.

The car crossed the central reservation onto the opposing carriageway before colliding with a black Renault Megane at around 6.10am.

Mr Jarvis, originally from Stoke-on-Trent, had been a back seat passenger and was taken to hospital but died later that day.

Two other passengers were injured and taken to hospital.

Police then launched an investigation after two men were seen running away from the scene.

Donson, of Dallow Road, Luton, has since been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, which he denies.

Questioned in the witness box by Henry Blackshaw, prosecuting Donson, Mr Tahrir said he had seen the man in the black jacket, who appeared to have been the driver, run off first followed by the man in the camouflage jacket.

The first man then appeared to go back and get something out of the car, he said, before running off again.

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But Paul Treble, defending, put it to the witness that he may not have been sure that the driver said he and the other man needed to go.

He said: "You say you felt it was him, I’m going to suggest that you can't be sure."

He added: "Just because you were dazed and confused, I’m going to suggest that you didn't hear anyone say ‘let's go.’"

But Mr Tahrir responded that he believes that is what he heard.

The trial continues.

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