A GMP officer is to face a gross misconduct charge after a driver died during a police chase in Old Trafford.

Luke Campbell, 24, was killed after the Mercedes S320 he was driving collided with a Mini before striking a CCTV stanchion at the junction of Warwick Road and Sir Matt Busby Way in the early hours of February 21 last year.

The young father-of-one was pronounced dead at the scene of the smash.

Mr Campbell was being pursued by a marked police car prior to the collision, prompting a referral to the IPCC and subsequent independent investigation.

A statement from the IPCC said: “In the opinion of the IPCC investigator, there is evidence that PC Simon Folwell, the driver of the police vehicle, has a case to answer for gross misconduct in relation to his actions prior to and during the pursuit.”

Following the call for a gross misconduct hearing, Guido Liguori, associate commissioner at IPCC, said: “Once again, I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mr Campbell. My decision to direct disciplinary proceedings was not taken lightly; it follows careful analysis of all the available evidence, for which an officer’s actions must be held to account.”

GMP disagreed with the IPCC’s finding of evidence of a case to answer for gross misconduct.

A date for the hearing is yet to be confirmed by GMP.

Two women were travelling in the Mini hit by Mr Campbell’s car at the junction of Chester Road and Warwick Road at around 3.30am that Sunday.

They were taken to hospital with multiple injuries.