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Sussex Police Officer Investigated For Potential Gross Misconduct After Fatal Peacehaven Collision

A Sussex Police officer is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for dangerous driving and potential gross misconduct after a man died in a collision with an unmarked police car in Peacehaven on April 30.

Since the incident, eyewitness accounts have emerged from people who said they were just yards from the scene when they saw the unmarked BMW police vehicle swerve across the central line towards the victim, 27-year-old Arthur Holscher-Ermert.

Bystanders say Holscher-Ermert was handcuffed as he lay face down in the road, before the officer driving the unmarked car attempted to give him CPR.

One of the bystanders reportedly took video footage on his phone as the incident unfolded.

Since the accounts have emerged, Sussex Police and the IOPC have offered more detail about the incident and last night (May 5) released a statement confirming the following:

The incident happened on the A259 South Coast Road at Peacehaven at around 11.10pm on Saturday (30 April) when the police vehicle was in a collision with a 27-year-old, named as Arthur Holscher-Ermert.

Mr Holscher-Ermert was driving an Audi which was being pursued by another police car after it came to the attention of officers conducting an operation in the Newhaven and Peacehaven area.

The short pursuit ended in Bramber Avenue where Mr Holscher-Ermert left the Audi and was struck moments later by a police vehicle which had not been involved in the pursuit.

Police officers and a member of the public immediately administered first-aid but Mr Holscher-Ermert tragically died at the scene.

Today (May 5) a Sussex Police Constable was formally notified by the IOPC that he is under criminal investigation for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving. The officer will also be investigated for potential gross misconduct.

The officer has not undertaken duties since the incident and will be placed on restricted duties that are not public-facing pending the outcome of the investigation. Suspension under police regulations was considered.

IOPC Regional Director Graham Beesley said:

“Our thoughts are with Mr Holscher-Ermert’s family, and with everyone else who was involved in this tragic incident and has been affected by his death.

“We have provided his family with an update into the progress of our investigation and we will be meeting with them soon.

“As well as investigating the collision we are also examining the events leading up to it and police actions in the immediate aftermath.

“It is important we establish why Mr Holscher-Ermert was being pursued by the police including what, if any, information the police had about him or the vehicle he was driving.

“We will also consider whether the actions of officers afterwards were in line with policy and procedure. This will include looking at the aftercare given to him. We are aware of reports handcuffs were applied to Mr Holscher-Ermert at the scene and this will form part of our investigation.

“We understand the concern this incident has caused in the community and I would like to reassure everyone that we will carry out a thorough and independent investigation to establish exactly what happened and why.”

As part of its review, the watchdog has looked at dashcam footage from a member of the public who was driving in the area at the time.

It is also analysing footage from the police car involved in the collision and body-worn video from officers who arrived at the scene.

Investigators have carried out house-to-house inquiries to identify witnesses and have sought any CCTV footage that might be available.

Supt James Collis said:

“This is a tragic incident and distressing for Mr Holscher-Ermert’s family and friends. Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“While there has been much speculation, it is vital that all of the facts of the case can be fully, fairly and objectively investigated by the IOPC. That is the purpose of an independent investigation.

“We are providing every assistance to the IOPC to allow for a thorough investigation and for the family to receive the answers they need. We would ask the public to allow for the investigation to take its course.”

The IOPC is the primary investigating body and, as such, is responsible for providing support to next of kin. As the investigation remains on-going, Sussex Police is unable to provide any further details, but they say they're fully supporting the IOPC.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IOPC on 0300 3035612 or email: [email protected]

The latest statement by the IOPC is available to read online here 

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