A terrifying and reckless car chase ended in a catastrophic crash involving police vehicles on the A1 motorway near Newcastle upon Tyne in early April 2025. At the center of the incident was Mazyar Azarbonyad, a 20-year-old personal trainer who, after failing to stop for police while on a first date, caused a high-speed collision that left seven officers injured and caused major disruption.
The Incident: A Dangerous Escape on the A1
In the early hours of April 9, 2025, Mazyar Azarbonyad was driving a BMW X5 with his date, Courtney Redfern, when police spotted him driving at speeds exceeding the limit and noticed defective rear lights on his vehicle. Azarbonyad was reportedly on a provisional driving licence, uninsured, and had only paid for a handful of driving lessons. Despite these glaring issues, he had purchased the expensive and powerful SUV on finance.
The situation escalated dramatically when police attempted to pull him over. Initially, Azarbonyad appeared to stop, but when an officer approached on foot, he abruptly decided to flee. His passenger later recounted that he dismissed the officer by saying “Nah” before speeding off. This was only the beginning of a chaotic series of events.
Azarbonyad’s reason for fleeing was allegedly tied to panic after his passenger told him she had drugs on her, specifically a small amount of cannabis. However, the court was not convinced this was the sole reason for his dangerous behavior. Judge Tim Gittins later noted that Azarbonyad deliberately fled, primarily because he was unlawfully driving without a licence or insurance and was aware of the consequences.
Read : Four Police Cars Crash During A1 Pursuit, Seven Officers Hospitalized
About 30 minutes later, police spotted Azarbonyad again. Despite being pursued, he failed to stop a second time, accelerating dangerously on the A1 motorway. His speed reportedly reached over 120 mph, an alarming and “hair-raising” level given the road and traffic conditions. The high-speed chase culminated in Azarbonyad executing a sudden, harsh braking maneuver in the middle of the busy four-lane motorway. This abrupt stop caused a pile-up involving five police cars.
Young offenders institution!!
— 'Seeing is believing' (@dave24144975) June 2, 2025
He’s a bloke!!
Judge says it is ‘nothing short of a miracle’ no one was killed in pile-up after Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, failed to stop.
In the days that followed his release on bail, he continued to drive to the gym where he had worked before his… pic.twitter.com/WTHme3yRNd
The crash was devastating. Several officers were trapped in their vehicles, some rendered unconscious, with injuries ranging from soft tissue damage to nerve damage and cuts requiring stitches. Liquids spilled during the collision, but thankfully there was no petrol involved, preventing an even worse outcome. Despite the scale of the incident and the serious injuries, the judge described it as “nothing short of a miracle” that no fatalities occurred.
The Human and Community Impact of the Crash
The immediate aftermath of the crash was traumatic, not only for the injured officers but also for the many people affected by the resulting traffic chaos. Seven police officers required hospital treatment, with one officer hospitalized for three days due to severe back nerve damage and knee injury. Others suffered cuts, bruises, and shock from the incident.
The crash also caused major regional traffic disruption on a crucial stretch of the A1, a vital artery for travel and transport. Many commuters and travelers were delayed, leading to lost work and study hours. The chaos extended beyond the physical injuries and damage to vehicles, spreading misery and disruption to thousands caught in the traffic jams that followed.
Superintendent Billy Mulligan from Northumbria Police highlighted the severity of the incident, pointing out that four of the injured officers remained off work weeks after the crash due to their injuries. He described Azarbonyad’s actions as reckless and emphasized the sheer luck involved in avoiding fatalities.
Azarbonyad’s disregard for road safety and police instructions had far-reaching consequences. Beyond the physical harm caused to the officers and other road users, the incident highlighted the dangers posed by unqualified, uninsured drivers, especially those operating powerful vehicles at excessive speeds.
The Court Case and Sentencing: Justice Delivered
Following his arrest and court hearings, Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and other related charges, including failing to stop for police and driving without a licence or insurance on multiple occasions. At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins handed down a sentence of 14 months’ detention and disqualified Azarbonyad from driving for three years and seven months.
Judge Gittins was clear in his condemnation of Azarbonyad’s actions, stressing that he should never have been behind the wheel that night, let alone in such a powerful SUV. The judge highlighted the defendant’s reckless behavior and the resulting “catastrophic collision” that could have easily led to multiple fatalities.
In court, Azarbonyad admitted to poor driving but denied some aspects, such as harsh braking. He also attempted to shift some blame by claiming the police were travelling too fast during the chase. Nevertheless, the judge was not swayed by these defenses, concluding that Azarbonyad had made deliberate decisions that endangered lives.
The court also heard background details about Azarbonyad’s journey to the UK. He fled Iran at age 14, travelling with his uncle, whom he lost during the journey and has not seen since. After time in immigration centres and foster placements, he was granted refugee status. Despite this challenging background, the court focused on the personal responsibility Azarbonyad had to obey the law and drive safely.
Azarbonyad’s defence lawyer described him as terrified of going to prison and noted that he had lost his personal trainer job following the police intervention. She mentioned he had been offered employment in a hairdressing salon and hoped to eventually return to the fitness industry. However, the gravity of his actions made the sentence inevitable.
Following the sentencing, police and the community expressed relief that justice had been served, though concerns remain about preventing similar reckless behavior in the future.
The case of Mazyar Azarbonyad serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless and unlawful driving. His decision to flee from police while driving without a licence and insurance, combined with excessive speeds on a busy motorway, led to a catastrophic collision that injured multiple officers and disrupted thousands of lives.
While Azarbonyad’s personal background reveals a difficult past as a refugee, the court emphasized that such challenges do not excuse putting others at risk on public roads. The 14-month detention sentence and extended driving ban reflect the seriousness of his offenses and the need for accountability.
As the injured officers continue their recovery and the community processes the impact of the crash, this case highlights the importance of road safety, responsible driving, and respect for law enforcement efforts to keep roads safe for all users.