'Stolen' car involved in fatal smash was being chased by officers, police watchdog says

A 'stolen' car that was involved in a fatal crash in Bolton was being pursued by police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has confirmed.

The horror smash happened on Lever Edge Lane just before 2am on Sunday morning (October 2). The driver of a Nissan Micra failed to stop for a police, and a pursuit ensued.

The car then smashed into two parked vehicles and the front-seat passenger - a man aged 34 - tragically died. A female passenger - also aged in her 30s - was also rushed to hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

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The male driver was also taken to hospital and was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police said he remains in hospital under arrest.

In a statement issued this morning (Tuesday), the IOPC - the police watchdog - said officers pursued the Nissan Micra after the driver failed to stop. Officers believed that the car had been 'taken without the owner's consent', a spokesperson said.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We are independently investigating the circumstances of a fatal collision in Bolton on Sunday (2 October). We were notified by Greater Manchester Police due to the fact officers were in pursuit of a Nissan Micra before it collided with a parked vehicle on Lever Edge Lane at around 2.10am.

"While our investigation is at an early stage, we understand the vehicle, which officers suspected had been taken without the owner’s consent, had failed to stop for police shortly before the incident.

"A 34-year-old man, who was a passenger in the Micra, sadly died, while the male driver and a female passenger were both seriously injured. IOPC investigators