Hall Green man dies in police car chase in Birmingham

May 5 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

AN INNOCENT motorist was killed after his vehicle was hit by a car which is believed to have sped through red traffic lights as it was chased by police in Birmingham.

Road traffic officers had been pursuing the car which had failed to stop for them when the smash happened last night.

A source said the car apparently raced through red lights at the junction of Highfield Road and Harborne Road, Edgbaston, as it was fleeing police and ploughed into another car. Paramedics battled to save the 51-year-old motorist as he was being taken to City Hospital but he was confirmed dead a short time later. He has not yet been named.

It is understood that one man was arrested in connection with the collision and another was taken to hospital with head injuries.

The two police officers involved in the pursuit were sent home following the collision. They are expected to be interviewed later.

Police watchdogs, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has been informed of the incident which happened at about 9.50pm.

A source said: “Road traffic officers had tried to stop a vehicle and it made off from the scene. It looks like it has gone through a red light where it has been in collision with a member of the public.

“The IPCC were called and they will now look into the incident.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service said an incident support officer, senior manager and two ambulance crews were sent to the scene.