Syd driver hits tree after near-collision

Police are looking for the driver of a car who allegedly drove through a stop sign in Sydney's west, causing a van to crash into a tree.

Police say the 19-year-old driver in the van had to brake heavily to avoid a collision when a silver Subaru WRX sedan drove through a stop sign in Merrylands on Thursday night.

The teenage driver lost control of the van and crashed into a tree, leaving him trapped in the vehicle for some time.

Emergency services managed to free the man and he was taken to Westmead Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are urging anyone with information about the driver of the silver sedan to come forward.