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A woman has been killed in a car accident following a high-speed police pursuit.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed that a woman was critically injured following a police pursuit in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Roman Kalas, 19, collided with Karen Joseph, 62, who was driving a Ford Puma, after his black Audi A3 was chased by police.
Mr Kalas died at the scene on August 28, but the IOPC confirmed that Ms Joseph was rushed to hospital before she died four days later.
Ms Joseph and her daughter were in the car at the time; her daughter received minor injuries.
The IOPC said it has obtained dashcam footage from a Warwickshire Police car which pursued the Audi for around six minutes before the crash at around 5.40pm on August 24.
The watchdog said the pursuit began after Mr Kalas failed to stop for officers in Birmingham Road, with the police car activating its siren and emergency lights.
IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said: “Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends and everyone affected by the deaths of Roman Kalas and Karen Joseph.
“We have spoken with both families to advise them of our investigation, and they will be provided with regular updates.
“Given two members of the public have died in an incident involving a police pursuit, it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish the full circumstances.
“We are examining police dashcam footage, trawling the pursuit route for CCTV footage and appeal to anyone with either doorbell or dashcam footage to contact our investigators on 0300 303 5609 or by email: [email protected].”
The IOPC said the police officer, in a single-crewed car, began the pursuit of Mr Kalas.
Inquests for Mr Kalas and Ms Joseph are due to be opened by the coroner for Warwickshire, Sean McGovern, on Friday.
Immediately after the crash, West Midlands 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."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) 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."
