Tribute issued to woman, 28, killed in crash after police chase on Norfolk - Suffolk border

The policing regulator is now looking into the conduct of both Norfolk and Suffolk Police in the moments before the crash

Aisatou and her husband Bocar
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 30th Aug 2023

A woman who died after a Land Rover that was being pursued by police crashed into her vehicle in Norfolk been named.

Aisatou Mballow Baldeh, 28, died after the Nissan Juke she was driving was hit by the Land Rover Defender on the A143 near Old Harleston Road, Earsham, Norfolk, on Sunday August 13.

Seconds earlier, the Land Rover had ploughed through a maize field.

In a tribute released through police, Mrs Baldeh's husband Bocar said: "Aisa was my wife, my best friend, and my soul mate.

"We had so many plans for our future together that now, we will not be able to fulfil, and this is something I'm still struggling to come to terms with.

"Aisa will be missed by so many people.

"Our families, friends and I will forever keep her in our hearts and remember the beautiful and vibrant person we love and cherish."

Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is to investigate the actions of both Norfolk and Suffolk Police in the moments before the fatal crash.

The Land Rover was being chased by police when the driver drove into the crop field, leaving a trail through the plants, before driving back on to the A143 where the crash occurred.

A police helicopter was monitoring the Land Rover, which had been reported stolen in Suffolk.

It was also being followed by an unmarked police car with marked cars some distance behind, watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

In an earlier statement, IOPC director Steve Noonan said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the woman's family and friends and we have been in contact with her family to explain our role and the next steps.

"Our role is to investigate the actions and decision-making of police officers involved in this incident prior to the collision and we will examine whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.

"After being notified of the incident, our investigators went to the scene and to the police post-incident procedures to start gathering evidence."

Two men have been charged in relation to the crash.

Marcin Jablonski, 43, from Carlton Colville, near Lowestoft, is accused of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while driving with no insurance, causing death while driving disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking, and criminal damage.

Thomaz Urbaniak, 26, from Newmarket, has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking.

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