The van’s owner tried to grab the keys of the taxi but instead was knocked to the floor
12:38, 02 Jan 2026Updated 12:39, 02 Jan 2026
Aerial view of Huyton town centre (Image: Google)
A taxi reportedly smashed into a parked van before reversing into the driver and knocking him to the ground. A man was taken to hospital with a head injury after the taxi reportedly smashed into a parked van on Fincham Road in Huyton.
The owner of the van then approached the driver of the car to remove his keys, but the car reversed into him, knocking him to the ground and he sustained a minor head injury.
Merseyside Police were called to the scene shortly after 9.05pm on Wednesday (December 31) and stopped the car on Mulgrave Street where they detained the driver.
A 41-year-old man from Toxteth was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, careless driving and failing to stop after a collision. He was taken into custody to be interviewed and has been conditionally bailed while enquiries continue.
Roads Policing Chief Inspector Stuart McIver said: “When drivers get behind the wheel of a vehicle having drunk too much alcohol or taken drugs, they take a huge risk with the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists, as well as themselves.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend the actions of the van owner who recognised the suspect had potential to cause further harm and tried to stop him.
“We will continue to proactively patrol the roads across Merseyside to prevent any driver reckless enough to drive while impaired through drink or drugs from causing serious injury or worse.
“As part of our Winter of Action, throughout December we carried out a drink and drug driving campaign, Operation Limit, which saw hundreds of arrests after regular stop checks were conducted in hotspot areas, and breathalysers and drug wipes deployed across Merseyside.
“Our work to tackle this issue continues all year round and we will continue to conduct targeted roadside operations as well as patrolling the road network 265 days a year to keep people safe.”
Any incidents of drink driving should be reported to Merseyside Police via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also report information via the police website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101, quoting Op Gears.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.
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