A POLICE watchdog has confirmed it will not be investigating an accident that claimed the life of a 22-year-old man after he was spotted driving at speed by an officer in an unmarked car.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said today (Tuesday, February 12) it had assessed the case and would be leaving all further inquiries to Durham Constabulary.

Glenn Robinson, County Durham, was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash, near Grants Houses, between Easington Colliery and Horden, County Durham, shortly before midnight on Sunday.

His passenger, a 23-year-old man from Easington Colliery, was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, for treatment to several injuries, not considered to be serious.

Mr Robinson, who lived with his parents in Bridge Road, Shotton Colliery was returning from a night out with a friend when the accident happened.

Durham Police said an officer in an unmarked police vehicle saw the Citroen Saxo travelling at speed in the opposite direction on Essington Way, in nearby Peterlee, at about 11.40pm on Sunday night.

The unmarked car turned round to follow the car, but before any attempt was made to stop it, the Saxo left the carriageway and crashed through a concrete and metal fence.

Inspector Ed Turner from the roads policing unit said: “Our inquiries have shown that there was no police pursuit in progress and at no time did Glenn fail to stop for the police.”

He said, police are still working to establish why the car left the road.

Mr Robinson was the eldest of three children and was working for Durham County Council in the gardening division.

Any witnesses should ring Durham police on 101 and ask for the roads policing unit.