IPCC concludes pursuit before fatal Derbyshire collision was carried out appropriately

11 Oct 2017 01:58 PM

An IPCC investigation into a fatal collision at Hilton, Derbyshire, concluded that a police pursuit which preceded it was carried out appropriately and in accordance with force policies.

Pedestrian Barrie Arkesden, aged 75, died on the afternoon of 11 April this year (2017) when he was hit by an Astra driven by Matthew Hogg. Mr Hogg pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and in May was jailed for eight years.

Shortly before the collision the Astra had been pursued after failing to stop for a Derbyshire Constabulary officer. The CCTV footage from the police vehicle showed the Astra overtaking on blind corners, weaving in and out of traffic, colliding with a goods vehicle and driving the wrong way round a roundabout.

The pursuit was aborted after less than three minutes because the police driver considered it too dangerous to continue, due to the manner in which the Astra was being driven.

Data from the police car indicated it had returned to a normal speed and its blue lights/sirens were no longer activated when it drove into Hilton and came across the scene of the collision in Main Street.

In the IPCC investigator’s opinion the pursuit was authorised, carried out and managed in line with policy and procedure. As well as studying in car footage from the police vehicle, the IPCC investigator also reviewed collision investigation data and documentation, and CCTV recorded along the pursuit route.

IPCC Operations Manager Rashpal Pahal said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with Mr Arkesden’s family and anyone else affected by his death. We carried out a thorough investigation which concluded that the pursuit was carried out appropriately by a trained officer. All police officers and staff were treated as witnesses during the course of our inquiries.”