The police watchdog has been informed of a fatal motorbike crash following a police chase in County Durham. 

On Saturday morning (March 26), a motorbike crashed during a brief police pursuit on Passfield Way, in Peterlee.

The pillion passenger, Lee Stevenson, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the bike remains in hospital in critical condition. 

Read more: Tributes to Lee Stevenson who died after bike crash near Peterlee

Today (Sunday, March 26) the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed they had been informed of the crash by Durham Constabulary, and had sent investigators to the police post-incident procedure to ascertain their next steps. 

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: “We have been informed by Durham Constabulary of a fatal road traffic incident involving a motorcycle in Passfield Way, Peterlee at around 2.30 am yesterday (March 25).

“A man riding pillion has died at the scene. We understand the motorcycle failed to stop and was then briefly pursued by a marked police car prior to the collision.

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“After being notified by Durham Constabulary, we sent investigators to the police post-incident procedure to assess the level of our involvement, if any. Our assessment is ongoing. 

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased man, and anyone else affected by this incident.”

The victim's family paid tribute to a "kindhearted, funny and hardworking".

Lee Stevenson was a father to two young children, Mason and Ava, and was "on the path to sorting his life out."