By Natalie Bloomer

Northamptonshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its involvement prior to a fatal collision on the A5 between Towcester and Weedon, NN Journal can reveal.

A 19 year-old man died at the scene when the Ford transit van he was travelling in collided with a DAF box van at 3.20am on May 10th. 

The driver of the box van suffered injuries and was taken to Coventry hospital. 

The road was closed for hours after the incident while the police conducted an investigation. At the time, the force put out a statement appealing for witnesses but did not mention the referral to the IOPC.]

A number of traffic collisions have resulted in deaths on the stretch of road in recent years.

NN Journal has not been able to verify the reasons for the referral but the IOPC website says: ‘only the most serious and sensitive matters are independently investigated’ by the watchdog. 

The website also states that forces must refer certain matters including:

• certain complaints made to their force – such as those that include an allegation of serious corruption or serious assault

• indications that police officers or staff have committed misconduct – for example, any suggestion that a criminal offence has been committed or that a serious injury has been caused

• if someone had direct or indirect contact with the police when, or shortly before, they were seriously injured or died. However, forces only need to refer cases where the contact may have caused or contributed to the death or injury

Northamptonshire Police confirmed the incident had been referred to the IOPC but said “it remains a live investigation and, as such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

A spokesperson for the IOPC said:

“An independent investigation is underway into the involvement of Northamptonshire Police prior to a fatal road traffic collision on the A5 near Weedon on Tuesday 10 May 2022. Our investigation remains ongoing so we’ll be unable to comment any further at this time.”