Croydon Police Chase Turns Deadly: One Dead, Six Injured

A dramatic police pursuit through south London ended in tragedy Friday night when a suspect vehicle crashed into two other cars, leaving one man dead and six people injured—one with potentially life-threatening injuries.

What Happened?

• 8:28 PM – Met Police officers on patrol in Croydon began following a car suspected of using cloned license plates.
• 8:38 PM – Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near South Norwood High Street, but the driver sped away, prompting a chase.
• 8:44 PM – The fleeing car collided with two other vehicles at the junction of Wickham Road and Shirley Road.

Casualties & Arrests

• The 63-year-old driver of the suspect car died at the scene despite officers performing CPR.
• His two passengers—both 61-year-old men—were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. One was also held for possession of Class A drugs.
• Six people from the two struck vehicles were taken to hospital, with one suffering serious, life-threatening injuries.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation, as required when a death occurs following a police pursuit. The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has also been notified.

Local residents expressed shock at the violent crash, with one witness describing “a loud bang followed by screaming.” Police have cordoned off the area for forensic examination.

This incident raises fresh questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers posed by criminals using cloned plates to evade detection.