A motorist died after driving away from a police patrol car.

Robert Warner, 20, of Butts Green Road, Sandon, was seen by officers driving on the A414 in Maldon in the direction of Heybridge at about 1am on Saturday.

The patrol car was going in the opposite direction but turned round, intending to carry out a routine stop and search.

However, the black Volkswagen Golf drove off at high speed and disappeared out of sight, according to a police spokesman.

A short time later the Maldon police officers came across the same car in Captains Wood Road, Great Totham.

The police spokesman said the car had left the road at the junction with Maldon Road, hit a group of trees and come to a rest on its roof.

Fire and ambulance crews were called but Mr Warner was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no passengers in Mr Warner's car and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with any information should contact Chelmsford road policing unit on 01245 452918

Published Monday July 12, 2004

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