Guilty plea after boy critically injured in crash

A man has admitted causing a collision in which a four-year-old boy was critically injured.

James Doherty, 18, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the car he was driving left the road and struck a child at Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, just before 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

Doherty immediately fled the scene, the boy was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

He appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he was remanded into custody.

Avon and Somerset Police said a woman was also struck in the incident, sustaining a leg injury which required hospital treatment.

She has since been discharged.

Describing Doherty's driving as "utterly reckless", serious collision investigator David Paniccia-Brown said: "His decision to drive in the manner he did put lives at risk and his decision to run away immediately after the collision in an attempt to avoid the consequences of his actions, rather than try and help, were cowardly.

"Our thoughts remain with the boy's family who have been updated on this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers," he added.

Meanwhile, neighbourhood Inspector Serena Serjeant said extra patrols had been carried out in the area since the collision.

"If you have any worries or concerns then please do approach an officer," she said.

Doherty is due to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 17 December.

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