Driver jailed 13 years over Wrexham police pursuit death

Michael Connors, 28, of Landen Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, was jailed for 13 years and one month at Mold Crown Court on Monday after admitting causing the death of Lydia La Polla by dangerous driving and seriously injuring two other people following a police pursuit crash in Wrexham. The court heard that shortly after 9.30pm on March 24, 2025, a police officer on mobile patrol saw a silver Mercedes driven by Connors brake too early at a roundabout near Chester Road and followed him. Connors made off from police, crossed two junctions at speed and collided with a Toyota between Belgrave Road and Percy Road in Hightown, Wrexham. Prosecution evidence reported to the court stated that Connors braked at 71mph two seconds before the crash in a 20mph zone and was travelling at 63mph on impact, according to data taken from the vehicles. A collision investigator found the Mercedes struck the passenger side of the Toyota, became airborne, rolled over and collided with a property in Belgrave Road. Mrs La Polla, 47, from Wrexham, was driving the Toyota and died from her injuries at a hospital in Stoke two days later on March 26, 2025.