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Man dies and woman critically injured following police pursuit in Warwickshire

A fatal collision on the A439 near Stratford-upon-Avon has prompted an independent investigation by the police watchdog.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 11:19 UTC2 reports

The short version

A male driver died and a female driver was critically injured after a crash during a police chase near Stratford-upon-Avon on Monday.
Warwickshire Police attempted to stop a black Audi around 5:23 pm, but the driver fled, eventually colliding with a white Ford Puma on the A439 Warwick Road about 20 minutes later.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an independent investigation following a mandatory referral by the police force.

Warwickshire Police officers attempted to stop a black Audi on Birmingham Road in Stratford-upon-Avon at 5:23 pm on Monday, but the vehicle failed to pull over.[The Guardian · BBC News]
The Audi collided with a white Ford Puma at 5:44 pm on the A439 Warwick Road after traveling toward the A46 and returning toward Stratford.[The Guardian · BBC News]
The male driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene, and the female driver of the Ford Puma was hospitalized in critical condition.[The Guardian · BBC News]
Several other vehicles sustained damage during the pursuit.[The Guardian · BBC News]
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation following a mandatory referral from Warwickshire Police due to a fatality following police contact.[The Guardian · BBC News]
A stretch of the A439 Warwick Road from the Marraway roundabout to its junction with Ingon Lane and Sand Barn Lane was closed following the collision.[BBC News]

The names and identities of the deceased driver and the hospitalized driver have not been publicly released.[The Guardian · BBC News]
The reason officers initially attempted to stop the Audi was not disclosed.[The Guardian · BBC News]