The police watchdog has started an investigation into a police chase, which began minutes before a fatal crash. The collision happened in the early hours of Thursday 9 January 2025 on the Junction 30 eastbound exit slip road of the M4 in Cardiff. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now launched an independent investigation into the involvement of South Wales Police.
Modecai Juma, 51, had previously failed to stop for officers, and a police pursuit began at 3.24am, the IOPC said in a statement. The watchdog said it was notified by the force as officers had been pursuing Mr Juma's Honda Accord at the time of the incident.
Mr Juma was travelling eastbound on the M4 and the crash happened at 3.30am after he took the exit lane towards Cardiff Gate. He received medical assistance by officers but Mr Juma died at the scene just after 4am. Dylan Thomas: Grandson of pie company tycoon jailed over murder of friend in 'frenzied attack'.
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Shortly after 3am, officers were alerted to the vehicle again and a police pursuit was authorised. The IOPC's deputy director of investigations, Catherine Bates, said the watchdog's thoughts were with Mr Juma's family and it would "continue to update them" as its enquiries progressed.
