Police officers not to blame in high-speed Farnborough crash

16 Jan 2020 01:19 PM

There was no indication that officers involved in a high-speed crash may have breached standards of professional behaviour an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded.

Andrew Smee, 22, was driving an Audi A5 in Farnborough, Hampshire, around 1.10am on 19 July, 2019 when he drove along the A325 Farnborough Road past a marked police car on routine patrol heading in the opposite direction.

The police vehicle initially put on its emergency lights and siren and performed a U-turn to follow the direction of travel of the Audi, but its lights were switched off after 10-15 seconds.

Mr Smee was travelling at around 70mph in a 40mph zone and then sped into a 30mph zone, and officers saw him drive the wrong way around a roundabout.

He lost control of the car on a tight left-hand corner, hit a lamppost where Wren Way meets Cherrywood Road, and the car ended on its side and hit a tree roof-first. Firefighters cut him out of the damaged vehicle and then gave emergency first aid along with paramedics.

Mr Smee was declared dead at the scene.

Our investigation concluded on 12 November 2019. Our report concluded that there was no indication that officers may have breached standards of professional behaviour and the Hampshire Constabulary agreed.

Officers were treated as witnesses throughout our investigation, in which we examined body worn video footage, CCTV footage from a property near to the crash scene and an insurance black box from Mr Smee’s car.

IOPC Regional Director Sarah Green yesterday said:

“The death of this young man was a tragedy and my thoughts remain with his family, friends and all those affected.

“Our investigation concluded that there was no indication that officers may have breached standards of professional behaviour and despite efforts to save his life following the crash, the injuries to Mr Smee were too severe.”

An inquest into the death of Mr Smee was held in Basingstoke on 15 January 2020 and decided he died as a result of a road traffic collision.

It heard he had alcohol and drugs in his blood system.

A summary of our final report will be published in due course.