Man pleads guilty after crash critically injures boy

James Doherty, 18, of no fixed address, has admitted responsibility for a collision that resulted in critical injuries to a four-year-old boy. Doherty pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the car he was operating left the road and struck a child at Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, just before 14:00 GMT on Sunday. Immediately following the incident, Doherty fled the scene. The boy was transported to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Doherty appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was subsequently remanded into custody. Avon and Somerset Police reported that a woman was also struck during the incident, sustaining a leg injury that required hospital treatment. She has since been discharged. Serious collision investigator David Paniccia-Brown described Doherty’s driving as “utterly reckless,” stating: “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.” He added, “Our thoughts remain with the boy’s family who have been updated on this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers.” Meanwhile, neighbourhood Inspector Serena Serjeant confirmed that additional patrols have been conducted in the area since the collision. She advised: “If you have any worries or concerns then please do approach an officer.” Doherty is scheduled to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 17 December.