The teenager was traveling with her mother, father and brother in their Volkswagen Polo in South Bermondsey (Reuters)
The teenager was traveling with her mother, father and brother in their Volkswagen Polo in South Bermondsey (Reuters)

A 32-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and other offences after being involved in a car crash which left a 13-year-old girl dead.

The teenager was killed after the car she was travelling in with her family was hit by a vehicle being pursued by police in southeast London.

Devon Newell, 32, from Peckham, has been charged with five offences including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.

He is also charged with failing to stop at the scene of an accident and driving with no insurance or licence.

He is due to appear at Camberwell magistrates court on 8 January via videolink. He has not yet been charged as of yet for any offences relating to the original police chase.

The teenager was traveling with her mother, father and brother in their Volkswagen Polo in south Bermondsey, southeast London, when it was hit by a Peugeot 308 on 6 January.

The girl, who was in the rear of the car, died at the scene from her injuries, Scotland Yard said. Police said the patrol vehicle involved in the chase had both its sirens and lights on at the time of the incident.

The three members of the 13-year-old's family who were also travelling in the car were taken to hospital, although their injuries are not thought serious.

Commander Tony Eastaugh said: "An innocent family are now dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one.

"The Metropolitan Police has begun a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this terrible incident.

"The thoughts of our staff and officers are with the family at this time."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has been informed and an IPCC investigator attended the scene to assess the circumstances.

London