Driver in stolen car hit speeds of 130mph before hiding from police in bushes after crashing
This video shows the moment a driver hit speeds of up to 130mph in a stolen car - before eventually crashing and trying to hide from police in some bushes on a roundabout.
Lee John Oakley sped away from police officers when he was asked to stop on Oxford Street in Hartlepool at around 4am on Mat 2, 2025.
The 44-year-old, who was driving a BMW with false plates, was chased along the A689, through Greatham and then back out on to the A689 at speeds of over 130mph.
The car eventually came to a stop when it crashed and Oakley, of Coatham Road in Stockton, ran off and hid in some bushes on a roadabout to try and evade capture.
Footage from inside the police car shows the chase followed by officers looking for Oakley in the bushes on the A689 roundabout, before body worn video shows him being arrested and put in handcuffs.
He was charged with multiple offences including dangerous driving, disqualified driving, failing to stop for police, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a class A drug.
On January 19, he was jailed for 28 months for those offences, plus a nmber of other offences committed in York on February 14 2025, which included dangerous driving, disqualified driving and drug driving.
PC Nathan Hood, who investigated the case, said: “Lee Oakley chose to make off from police and drive at tremendous speeds.
“He was disqualified from driving at the time and had taken cocaine, as he drove at over 130mph to try to evade justice.
“Not only did Lee Oakley put his own life at risk but he risked that of other road users and it will not be tolerated.
“To be convicted of these offences not only once, but twice within a matter of months, is astonishing and shows his blatant disregard for anyone else on the road.”