A TAXI driver suffered a suspected broken leg after a serious collision with a man believed to be a car thief.

Police were called to Eden Vale in Sunderland at about 6.05am on Sunday morning.

Emergency services attended and found a blue BMW 420D had been in a collision with a taxi.

The driver of the taxi, who was the only person in the vehicle, was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Nobody in the BMW suffered any serious injuries.

A 22-year-old man, who was believed to have been in the BMW at the time of the collision, was arrested by police.

He has since been charged with aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and driving while above the legal alcohol limit.

He was bailed to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates Court on November 19.