Police cleared over motorbike chase death

Police have been cleared of any wrongdoing in a police chase during which a motorcyclist with a cocktail of drugs in his system died in Christchurch last year.

David Douglas Fowler, 52, died on River Rd in October 29 after suffering severe head injuries when he fell from his motorcycle.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority said in a report released today that the pursuit complied with policy.

"There is no evidence of misconduct or neglect of duty on the part of the officers involved, and their actions did not cause Mr Fowler's death."

The chase ensued after Mr Fowler's 600cc Yamaha motorcycle was seen speeding along Gloucester Rd.

Officers did a u-turn, but they lost sight of the motorcyclist after he ran a red light.

The crash occurred after a second patrol came across the motorbike on Stanmore Rd.

The officer had lost site of the motorcycle and was about to call off the pursuit when he found the crash site.

Police investigations found Mr Fowler was under the influence of drugs when he crashed, with toxicology tests finding methadone, Ritalin, morphine and oxycodone in his system. He also had pills and hypodermic syringes on him.

He lost control of the motorcycle because of speed and the poor condition of the road, which had potholes and was covered in leaves, police said.

His helmet came off when he landed on the road because the strap was too loose.

Mr Fowler was travelling between 69 and 75km/h in a 50km/h area at the time of the crash.

He had previously been told by a healthcare professional if he continued to take drugs and drive he would be putting himself at risk of a "grossly impaired reaction time or falling asleep while operating a vehicle", police said.

Police said the bike was not warranted and water in the brake fluid would have impacted on the effectiveness of the brakes.

Mr Fowler had been disqualified from driving and was facing drugs and dishonesty charges at the time of the crash.

He told Christchurch District Court in March 2007 his drug habit had ruined his life. He was being sentenced to 10 months' jail for drugs charges at the time.

- NZPA