A 70-year-old woman has died after a stolen car involved in a police chase collided with her vehicle on the A24 in Horsham, West Sussex. The driver of the black Mercedes AMG estate fled the scene and remains at large.
The incident occurred at the Farthings Hill roundabout near Broadbridge Heath at around 2.30pm on Friday. The victim, driving a Ford Fiesta, was struck by the stolen car as it joined the northbound carriageway. She died at the scene, while her passenger, also a 70-year-old woman from Horsham, suffered minor injuries.
Police had earlier traced the Mercedes to the Buck Barn crossroads, believing it was stolen during a burglary in Goring-by-Sea. The car was seen leaving services at the A24 junction at 2.19pm in convoy with another stolen Mercedes, an A Class. Both failed to stop for officers.
The Mercedes A Class crashed into a hedge at 2.23pm, and its driver was arrested. An 18-year-old man from Feltham was held on suspicion of burglary. The Mercedes AMG continued driving but was not being pursued when it fatally collided with the Fiesta 11 minutes later.
Police searched the area with dogs and a helicopter but did not find the driver, who is believed to have tried to flag down another car for a lift. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has been notified.
Anyone with information on the driver's whereabouts should call 999 immediately. Witnesses can call 101 quoting Operation Mantra, 684 of 10/11.
