Investigation into police contact with a man before his death in a road traffic collision – Warwickshire Police, July 2023

In July 2023, two officers in a stationary, marked police car recognised a passing car that was of interest to the police. 

The officers decided to stop the car and speak with the driver. The car was linked to Class A drug possession and had activated automatic number plate recognition cameras a few days before. The officers turned on their blue lights and stopped the driver of the car. 

The officers spoke with the driver and conducted a car check. This informed the officers that the driver had markers for drug supply on multiple policing systems. The driver drove off when the officers told him that the car would be searched. 

The officers returned to their car and reported a failure to stop. They began to pursue the car. 

The officers reported speeds of 90mph on a road with a 50mph speed limit. They requested authorisation to pursue. The control room stated that a number plate was needed for a full pursuit to be authorised. Four seconds later, the driver of the car collided with another car driven by a member of public. 

The car being pursued entered a field and a significant amount of smoke appeared from it. Officers approached the car, pulled the driver out, and moved them away. The car set alight as officers performed CPR on the driver. Paramedics attended but the driver was declared dead at the scene.

Our investigators obtained statements from multiple police officers and members of the public. They reviewed body worn video and dash-camera footage from the incident, and obtained and reviewed relevant radio communications. Our investigators also reviewed relevant policies in line with the actions of the officers.

We concluded there was no indication that a person serving with the police committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

It is our opinion that both officers acted in accordance with national guidance by trying to keep the public safe, and their aftercare of the driver of the car was proportionate and necessary. 

We carefully considered whether there were any learning opportunities arising from the investigation. We make learning recommendations to improve policing and public confidence in the police complaints system and prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. 

We did not identify any learning in this investigation.