TWO drivers are to stand trial accused of causing a car crash that left a man with serious injuries.

Pedestrian John McCafferty was struck in Bradford Street in The Haulgh while crossing the exit slip road of the southbound A666 St Peter’s Way just before midnight on November 27.

The 53-year-old was taken to Salford Royal Hospital with serious injuries and was initially said to be in a critical condition.

He has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home.

Nicholas Montgomery, aged 27, of Bury Road, Bolton, and previously of Musgrave Road, Bolton, faces a single charge of causing serious injury to Mr McCafferty by dangerous driving of an Audi S3.

Mohammed Bhatti, of St Helens Road, Daubhill, is accused of causing serious injury to Mr McCafferty by dangerous driving of an Audi RS4 and of failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The 31-year-old is also accused of perverting the course of justice, namely “concealing the involvement of yourself and Katie Smith in a serious road traffic collision by concealing the vehicle and reporting it stolen”.

Bhatti’s girlfriend, Kate Smith, aged 29, of Bowstone Rise, Darcy Lever, faces a similar charge of perverting the course of justice.

The three defendants appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.

Montgomery and Smith entered not guilty pleas while Bhatti did not enter a plea.

All the defendants were ordered to stand trial on May 22 at the same court where there is an estimate of the trial lasting four days.

Bhatti is due to appear at the court again on February 16.

Montgomery and Smith had their conditional bail extended while Bhatti was remanded back into custody.

Daniel Smith, aged 32, of Weston Street, Great Lever, who was arrested in connection with the crash, admitted possession of a class B drug — amphetamines — at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on November 29 and was given a 12-month conditional discharge.