Police watchdog finish probe into couple’s death
MARRIED PAIR DIED AFTER POLICE CHASE ON A40
THE police watchdog has finished investigating the Metropolitan Police’s involvement in the death of a young couple killed in a crash after a police chase in West London.
Pregnant Shauna McDonagh, 18, and her husband Patrick, 19, died on the A40 in Acton on February 10 last year.
The couple had been linked to a burglary in the Harrow and Pinner area and were being chased by officers before the fatal crash.
They were later cleared of being present at the crime.
Witnesses saw the Renault in which they were travelling veer onto the wrong side of the road, before crashing head-on into a coach.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is in charge of looking into why the Met decided to chase the Renault, and how the couple died, has now finished its investigation surrounding the deaths.
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “In February 2020 we concluded our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Patrick and Shauna McDonagh following a police pursuit on the A40 in London in February 2019.
“Our investigation report and its findings have been shared with the Metropolitan Police Service and the families of Mr and Mrs McDonagh.
“We have also provided HM Coroner with a copy of the report in advance of the inquest. We will liaise with the families and all other parties involved regarding publishing the findings of our investigation following the inquest, a date for which has yet to be set.”
At this stage it remains a mystery why police cars and a helicopter pursued the Renault Scenic Shauna and Patrick were travelling in.
It has been speculated in the past that the couple may have been driving to the hospital due to Shauna, who was due to give birth on February 14, going into labour. This has never been confirmed.
At the opening of the inquest in February last year, the court heard there had been a police chase before Patrick and Shauna were involved in a crash that led to their deaths.
Coroner Chinyere Inyama said: “There was a police pursuit, a man and woman were travelling on the wrong side of the road and died in a head-on collision. The crash happened on the A40 in East Acton at about 9pm on February 10.
“Shauna Marie McDonagh, who was 18 years old, and Patrick Christopher
McDonagh, who was 19 years old, were pronounced dead at the scene.
“A third person who was travelling with them in the car was taken to hospital. A number of people were treated by paramedics at the scene.
“Two people from the coach were taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.
“Police were pursuing the car for 10 minutes before terminating prior to the crash. A police helicopter was monitoring the progress of the pursuit prior to the crash.”
A date for the couple’s inquest, due to be held at West London Coroner’s Court, has not yet been set.