Police watchdog investigating after man dies in crash following pursuit near Stratford
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an independent investigation
Last updated 25th Aug 2026
A police watchdog is investigating after a man died and a woman was left critically injured in a crash that followed a police pursuit near Stratford.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct will launch an independent investigation because a death occurred following police contact.
At around 5.23pm on Monday 24th August, officers tried to stop a car on Birmingham Road.
The driver of the car, a black Audi, failed to stop and made off in the direction of the A46 before travelling back towards Stratford on the A439 Warwick Road.
The crash
At approximately 5.44pm, the Audi driver is understood to have been in collision with another vehicle, a white Ford Puma, at the junction of Warwick Road and Stratford Road.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 5.45pm and sent two ambulances, three paramedic officers, the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the Midlands Air Ambulance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "Upon arrival we found three patients. Firstly a man who was the driver of the first car who was in a critical condition. He received advanced life support and advanced trauma care at the scene.
"Despite their best efforts, it became clear that nothing more could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased by ambulance staff at the scene.
"Secondly, a woman who was the driver of the second car was assessed and had sustained life-threatening injuries. She received advanced trauma care and advanced life support from ambulance staff at the scene before being conveyed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire by air ambulance for further treatment.
"The second woman who was a passenger in the second car had sustained potentially serious injuries which were not believed to be life threatening. She received treatment at the scene before being conveyed to Warwickshire Hospital by land."
The male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Ford driver was taken to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
A number of other vehicles were damaged during the pursuit.
The families of those involved have been informed and are being offered specialist support.
Police response
Superintendent Steve Flavell said: "Our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in this collision and we're providing specialist support to them at this extremely difficult time.
"We made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because a death had occurred following police contact. They have declared an independent investigation and we will co-operate fully with their investigation."
IOPC statement
A spokesman for the IOPC said their investigation into the involvement of Warwickshire Police prior to the fatal collision was at an early stage.
The pursuit lasted for around six minutes before the crash.
They said: “We were notified by the force at 7.40pm and IOPC investigators attended the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering information. We declared an independent investigation at 9.38pm.
“We understand that the driver of a black Audi A3 failed to stop for police and was then pursued for around six minutes before the vehicle was involved in a collision with a car being driven by a member of the public.
“The male driver of the Audi sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The driver of the other car, a woman in her 70s, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Our investigation is at an early stage.”