Car rammed into Halstead home still embedded a week later

The destroyed black Seat remains embedded in the wall of number five Bridge Street in Halstead after smashing into the corner of the home shortly after 1am last Saturday, August 22.

Police officers attended but found the driver had fled the scene before their arrival.

The vehicle’s air bags in the driver and passenger seat had activated from impact.

The historic property, which is Grade II listed, has sustained extensive damage, with the corner falling apart from the impact and interior cladding exposed.

Crash - The car is embedded in the Grade II building just after the bend between Halstead High Street and Bridge Street (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)

Crime - The investigation is ongoing as the driver of the vehicle fled the scene before police arrived (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)

James Haylock, partner for Haylock Investment and Management Services which owns the property in Bridge Street, said: “After the incident our priority was to find alternative accommodation for the residents.

“The Dog Inn provided this for the first four days obviously at short notice and then a longer-term solution was found.”

Jackie Pell, councillor for Halstead Trinity ward, said: “Safety is the most important thing, and this vehicle has crossed the footpath and gone into the building.

“What I am so concerned about is that nobody was walking by at the time, because that could’ve been a fatality. And also, the damage done to the property – it’s an old listed property.

“We can’t presume, but the kerb is gone, and it is quite a way into building so it is likely to have been going at speed.

“The absolute horror for the poor people whose home it was. How much longer are we going to have to wait to put this right?”

Safety - Councillor Jackie Pell said the collision could have resulted in a fatality if anyone had been on the footpath at the time (Image: Jackie Pell)

Impact - The air bags in the vehicle had been activated in the collision (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)

Essex Police has said the investigation is ongoing.

A spokesperson said: “The driver of the vehicle left the scene before police arrival.

“No injuries were reported but there is extensive damage to the property.

“Our enquiries are ongoing.

“If anyone has any information which could assist us, please get in touch.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

“Please cite incident 70 of 22 August.”

It can be found at the bottom right of the Essex Police homepage at www.essex.police.uk.

Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about website reporting services.

Alternatively, you can call 101.