POLICE have named the young woman killed when a car crashed as it sped away from a patrol car.

Katharine Jane Davis, who was 20, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident in Hartlepool in the early hours of yesterday.

Miss Davis was a passenger in a Rover 216GTi with three men when the accident happened in West View Road, shortly before 2.45am.

A force spokesman said a police car on routine patrol had tried to pull over the red and black Rover, but it failed to stop and drove off at speed.

He said: "After a short distance, the Rover left the carriageway and crashed.

"A full investigation has been launched by Cleveland Police and the independent Police Complaints Commission has been informed of the incident."

A 19-year-old man was in police custody yesterday in connection with the incident.

Two other men, aged 17 and 25, were being treated in hospital for injuries described as non-life threatening.

West View Road was closed after the accident and diversions put into place for a number of hours.

Any witnesses are asked to call Detective Sergeant Matt Mason on (01642) 302133.

Last night, Miss Davis' family were too upset to talk about the accident.