Driver jailed after police pursuit in which man died

A driver who stole a caravan, rammed police cars during a pursuit before crashing near flood water where his passenger later died has been jailed for 16 months.

Police said officers pursued a BMW X5 towing a caravan, following reports it had been stolen from Oakerthorpe, Derbyshire, in the early hours of 14 February.

The driver, Adrian Osiecki, carried out a number of dangerous manoeuvres before the caravan unclipped from the vehicle, which sped off before going into standing water and crashing into a wall on a bridge in Main Street, Egginton.

A Polish national, a passenger in the BMW, also fled the scene and entered a flooded brook, but was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the water.

Osiecki also fled the scene and ran off towards some fields but was arrested a short time later, Derbyshire Police said.

The 34-year-old provided a short statement to officers following his arrest, denying driving the car and adding he had not stolen the caravan, before going on to provide "no comment" answers in interview.

Polish national Osiecki, of Friars Road in Coventry, was charged with handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and drug-driving.

He admitted the charges and was jailed and banned from driving for two years during a hearing at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday.

Det Insp Simon English said: "This was a highly dangerous pursuit during which the offender put the safety of our officers and that of the public at considerable risk by carrying out a number of dangerous manoeuvres.

"We are pleased that the case has been resolved at court and Osiecki will be spending time behind bars, where he should seriously consider the consequences of his actions."

Because the 40-year-old man's death happened after police contact, Derbyshire Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

An IOPC spokesperson said: "We have completed our inquiries into the actions of Derbyshire Police in relation to the death of a man who entered flood water, after leaving a vehicle which was being pursued by police at Egginton on 14 February 2026.

"Decision-making around our final report is ongoing and we will publish our findings are the end of all associated proceedings including coronial. Derbyshire police officers have been treated as witnesses throughout our investigation."

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.