An unborn baby has died after a driver being chased by police for a suspected cloned licence plate crashed into a couple in south London.
Incident details
Police were pursuing a car on Lewisham Way in New Cross just before 11.30pm on Saturday when the suspect failed to stop. The vehicle collided with another car driven by a man in his 20s, whose heavily pregnant partner, also in her 20s, was in the passenger seat.
Paramedics rushed the pregnant woman to hospital, but despite their efforts, her baby did not survive. The woman remains hospitalised in a stable condition. The male driver of the second car was treated for injuries that are not life-threatening or life-changing.
Arrest and charges
A 29-year-old man, identified as the driver of the suspect vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle, failure to stop, and possession of class A drugs.
Detective Inspector Suzanne Quinton from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: ‘Our thoughts are with the mother and father involved, and their family following the tragic loss of their child. Our investigation continues. We would ask anyone with information or footage that could help to please come forward.’
Police watchdog referral
A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in line with procedure whenever a death or serious injury follows a police pursuit.
