Man who died in fatal Hartlepool road collision is named as passenger appears in court on robbery charge
A 44-year-old man who died in a road collision in Seaton Carew earlier this week has been named by police.
Duane Michael Birdsall, 44, lost his life after a VW Golf collided with a concrete bollard at the junction of Tees Road and Elizabeth Way just after 4am on Tuesday, April 7.
The collision followed what police said was a “short pursuit”. The road was closed for almost 12 hours while the vehicle was recovered and police carried out inquiries.
Cleveland Police has made a mandatory referral of itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The force said in a statement on Thursday evening: "The man who sadly died in a single vehicle collision at the junction of Elizabeth Way and Tees Road in Hartlepool, in the early hours of Tuesday 7 April, has been named as 44-year-old Duane Michael Birdsall.
“Our thoughts are with Duane’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Two passengers in the Golf were taken to hospital including a 34-year-old man who remains in hospital with serious injuries.
A 42-year-old woman received treatment and was subsequently arrested and charged with robbery in connection with an incident earlier that morning.
She appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody until her next appearance on Tuesday, May 5.
Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with information or dashcam footage relating to the collision to contact them.
A number of floral tributes, including from Mr Birdsall’s family, have been left at the scene.