Woman dies after police pursuit crash in Stratford-upon-Avon

Woman dies after police pursuit crash in Stratford-upon-Avon Karen Joseph, 62, died in hospital after the incident on August 24 - Bookmark A woman who was critically injured in a crash during a police pursuit has died, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. Karen Joseph, 62, was seriously injured when a black Audi A3 car driven by Roman Kalas, 19, collided with her Ford Puma on Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, at around 5.40pm on August 24. Officers followed Mr Kalas’s car for around six minutes but the vehicle failed to stop and made off in the direction of the A46, Warwickshire Police said. The driver of the car then travelled back towards Stratford on the A439 Warwick Road before the crash happened. Mr Kalas died at the scene. A post-mortem examination gave the initial cause of death as traumatic head and chest injuries, the IOPC said. Mrs Joseph, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was taken to hospital with critical injuries where she died on Friday. Her daughter, a passenger in the car, suffered minor injuries in the incident, the police watchdog said. The police officer, in a single-crewed car, began the pursuit after Mr Kalas failed to stop for police in Birmingham Road and the vehicle’s sirens were activated and emergency lights were on, the IOPC said. Inquests for Mr Kalas and Mrs Joseph are due to be opened by the coroner for Warwickshire, Sean McGovern, on Friday. 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. They have requested privacy at this difficult time. “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].” In a statement released on August 24, Superintendent Steve Flavell said: “Our thoughts are with the families of everyone involved in this collision. “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." [Image text:] POLIGE LINE OO NOT GROSS