Distraught mum's car written off in late-night crash by runaway driver

As previously reported, emergency services were called to Peverell Avenue West in Poundbury on Sunday night after a car overturned and the driver fled the scene.

The vehicle caused damage to two parked cars and a lamppost. Dorset Police carried out 'extensive searches' around the area to find the driver. The person was still being sought as of yesterday.

One of the vehicles which was hit belongs to a 23-year-old woman.

She said her car had been written off and it has left her struggling as she relies on it for getting to work, and is also supposed to be moving house next week. 

The woman, who asked not to be named, described the moment she heard an 'almighty bang' and discovered her car had been hit.

The aftermath of the crash on Sunday evening in Poundbury

She said: "I live in flat above where it happened. I heard an almighty bang and ran to the window.

"It was very loud - the impact caused my car to skid about seven to eight metres up the row of parking spaces. My two-year-old was woken up by it.

"Finally, I got off the phone to the police and went downstairs. There were bits of the car everywhere and about 20 people were gathered on the street by this point.

"There was liquid just pouring from the car and the whole driver's side of my car is damaged and my windows are smashed.

"I just freaked out. My first thoughts were that I won't be able to get my son to school or go to work - my car's been completely written off."

The woman will attempt to claim a new car through her insurers.

Her vehicle was left severely damaged by the car crash

"I'm going to be about £1,000 out of pocket. Plus the car itself cost £2,500 so I've lost that as well", she added. 

For the time being, she is relying on the help of friends until she gets a new car.

She said: "I will somehow manage to sort it out but it means I'll have to rope in a lot of people to try and help me move house now I don't have my own car.

"Fortunately I managed to get to work on Monday thanks to some very nice people giving me a lift and sorting out childcare."

She added a 'load of rubbish is everywhere' outside her home as a result of the crash, including vehicle debris and broken glass.

Inside the damaged car

Police said yesterday that no arrests had been made and an investigation into the crash was underway.

A spokesman said: "Dorset Police was called at 8.56pm on Sunday, October 11 to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Peverell Avenue West in Poundbury, Dorchester.

"It is reported that the car overturned and the driver left the scene. The fire service attended the incident as the vehicle was smoking. Substantial damage was also caused to a lamppost.

"Officers carried out extensive searches of the area to try and locate the driver, assisted by the NPAS helicopter."