Police defend service after suspect flees UK

Nurse Elizabeth Donowho was seriously injured in the crash

A mental health nurse who was seriously injured in a car crash has been told the service provided by police was "acceptable" despite the suspect leaving the country before appearing in court.

Elizabeth Donowho, 56, from Malvern, Worcestershire, was left unable to walk for six weeks after the crash on the A4103 near Shucknall in Herefordshire.

Issac Calderon is accused of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the collision in July.

Ms Donowho submitted a complaint to West Mercia Police after discovering Mr Calderon was able to leave the UK on a commercial flight to Texas on 25 November.

That was despite the US citizen being labelled a potential "flight risk".

The force said the suspect was not arrested immediately after the crash due to him requiring medical attention for serious injuries.

As a result of not being arrested, Mr Calderon had no bail conditions imposed, meaning there was, according to police, "no power to stop him leaving the country, even if he was identified at a port".

In a letter responding to Ms Donowho's complaint a representative of the force's professional standards department said there was "no indication" he would not attend Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on 1 December.

The letter read: "He provided a fixed address, had attended a voluntary interview, and complied with all police processes.

"We fully expected the defendant to turn up to court, therefore, there was never any reason to arrest him, and as such this removes any ability to place any conditions of bail on him, including seizing his passport."

The letter concluded by saying: "Based on the conclusions of this complaint case, the outcome is that the service provided by the police was acceptable, and in this case, there was no learning identified."

'Distressing and frustrating'

Speaking about the response she received to her complaint, Ms Donowho said: "This response to my complaint from West Mercia Police just adds insult to injury.

"They have let me down over and over again and it just continues.

"Calderon should have surrendered his passport and they only have themselves to blame for their mistake."

Ch Supt Gareth Morris of West Mercia Police said: "We understand that for Ms Donowho this has been distressing and frustrating."

He continued: "There are legal criteria for when an arrest can be made, and they were not met on this occasion due to the immediate medical needs of the suspect, and his subsequent co-operation with our investigation.

"The police do not have a general power to seize a person's passport and the criteria to do so was not met at the time."