A woman in her 20s has died after a car being pursued by police drove on the wrong side of the A19 in Sunderland. The collision occurred at around 3am on Sunday, involving a grey Volkswagen Sharan and a white BMW.
Northumbria Police said officers spotted the white BMW at approximately 2.55am on the A184 in Felling, Gateshead. The vehicle failed to stop when instructed, prompting a pursuit. Minutes before the crash, the same car was seen travelling south on the northbound carriageway of the A19.
Emergency services attended the scene, where the female passenger from the BMW was pronounced dead. A male passenger, also in his 20s, sustained serious injuries and remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital. The driver of the Sharan was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.
A 24-year-old man, the driver of the BMW, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody. The force has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for investigation.
Sergeant Greg Huntley of Northumbria Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit expressed condolences and urged the public to refrain from speculation. The A19 was closed between the A1231 and A184 junctions for several hours but has since reopened.
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed an independent investigation into police actions prior to the collision. Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Northumbria Police.
