Identity Crisis Unfolds in Fatal US Police Chase
A complex case of mistaken identity has emerged involving a British man arrested in the United States following a high-speed police chase that resulted in the death of an Uber driver. The suspect, who was seriously injured in the crash, has used multiple false identities, creating an international mystery about his true background.
US authorities initially identified the man as Steven Hall, 28, from Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire. However, prosecutors revealed three days later that this was a false identity, claiming his real name was George Linard, 24 - a person wanted for failing to appear in court on charges including money laundering and cocaine possession.
The Real George Linard Speaks Out
Investigations by the Daily Mail uncovered that the real George Linard is actually 23 years old and lives in March, Cambridgeshire. When visited by reporters, he proved his identity with a provisional driving licence and expressed complete bafflement at how someone in US custody could be using his name.
"A US media report? What is that about... is this legit, or are you pulling my leg?" Linard asked reporters. "A man charged with the death of a driver and using a fake ID.... I'm confused. He killed a man and gave my name. I can tell you for a fact it's not me. I've not left the country."
The genuine Mr Linard suggested his identity may have been stolen by hackers who had previously fraudulently accessed his HMRC account. "What makes me wig out about this is my HMRC account has fraudulently been used recently. They tried to get my tax rebate," he explained.
His mother Mandy corroborated his story, stating: "Let me tell you now my son has not been to America, you can check his passport. That's an unusual surname as well."
Multiple Aliases and Criminal History
Documents from the US investigation reveal the suspect had been using multiple names including Steve Peker or Steve Peck and was found with a supposedly fake UK driving licence in the name of Steven Pike. Despite this, official custody records still list him as George Linard.
Sources indicate the man is a British citizen with parents in the UK who was originally called Steven Hall and had been "spending time" in the US recently. He had reportedly been deported from the US in 2023 under unclear circumstances before apparently re-entering the country under the name George Linard.
US legal documents show that a UK citizen named as George Linard, aged 24, had been charged with multiple offences on September 14 last year, including:
- Possessing cocaine
- Possessing a fake UK driving licence
- Money laundering after being found with $32,033 in a sock and wallet
- Possessing a stolen credit card
- Possessing anabolic steroids with intent to supply
These charges occurred in Bergen County, New Jersey, after police pulled him over for erratic driving and found him "visibly impaired" with opened bottles of Corona beer in the vehicle.
The Fatal Chase and Aftermath
The incident that led to the Uber driver's death began at approximately 5.45pm on November 9 when staff at a petrol station called police to report two drunk men causing a disturbance. Officers arrived quickly and gave chase to a white car carrying the two suspects as it sped away from the P & S Gas and Food Mart in West Deptford.
CCTV footage captured the pursuit as officers activated emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle. The fleeing car crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with an Uber taxi about a quarter of a mile from the garage.
The Uber driver died in the crash, while his 24-year-old female passenger was trapped and required extraction from the wreckage near Hessian Road and Red Bank Avenue. The woman suffered injuries requiring surgery, including a broken leg, and made a desperate Facetime call to her mother while still covered in blood at the scene.
The alleged driver now faces charges including:
- Second-degree death by auto
- Fourth-degree possessing a fraudulent ID with a fake name
- Two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have applied for the man to be refused bail pending investigation into him allegedly being an illegal immigrant. An ICE spokesperson confirmed the suspect had previously been deported from the US in 2023 before apparently re-entering the country.
The man remains in hospital receiving treatment for serious injuries sustained in the crash. The passenger in his vehicle suffered a broken hip in the collision.
The suspect's lawyer, Harley Breite, told the Daily Mail that police had been "reckless" during their pursuit. "While this is a horrible tragedy we look forward to all of the facts coming out so that we can assess the culpability of the police in regards to this unfortunate incident," Breite stated.
He added that his client, whom he referred to as Linard, was still being treated in hospital for injuries from what he described as a "very serious accident."
The case continues to develop as authorities on both sides of the Atlantic work to unravel the true identity of the man at the centre of this international mystery.
