The crash took place yesterday (April 18) at around 8.46pm, following a police chase that took place in South Norwood Street.
Officers on patrol followed a vehicle that was suspected to display cloned number plates, and attempted to stop the vehicle on South Norwood Street at around 8.38pm.
The vehicle failed to stop and subsequently crashed with two other vehicles on Wickham Road at the junction with Shirley Road.
The scene was attended by fire crews from London Fire Brigade and ambulance crews from London Ambulance Service.
Fire crews worked to free three people who had become trapped in the car and another three were taken to hospital.
Police confirmed that a 63-year-old man, the driver of the pursued vehicle, died at the scene.
The force also confirmed that a further person out of the six taken to hospital is in a life-threatening condition.
Two 61-year-old men who were in the pursued vehicle were also arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle.
One man was additionally arrested for being in possession of class A drugs and both men remain in police custody.
Road closures were put in place whilst emergency services were at the scene and diversions have since been lifted.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was informed and a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the incident.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “At 20:28hrs on Friday, 18 April, officers on patrol in Croydon began to follow a vehicle that was suspected to be displaying cloned number plates.
“At 20:38hrs, in the vicinity of South Norwood High Street, officers tried to stop the vehicle. It failed to stop and made off with officers in pursuit.
“At 20:46hrs, the vehicle that was being pursued collided with two vehicles being driven by other members of the public in Wickham Road, Croydon close to the junction with Shirley Road.
“Officers gave initial medical treatment, including CPR, while awaiting the arrival of the other emergency services.
“The London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade attended and treated multiple people for injuries.
“Despite their best efforts, a 63-year-old man – the driver of the vehicle that was being pursued – was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next of kin has been informed.
“Two passengers in the vehicle that was being pursued, both men aged 61, were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. One was also arrested for being in possession of class A drugs. They remain in custody.
“Six members of the public, who were in the two other vehicles, were taken to hospital. One was found to have a potentially life threatening injury.
“Road closures were put in place while the incident was investigated, with buses on diversion. These closures have now been lifted.
“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards was immediately informed and a referral made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which is a required step whenever vehicles are involved in a collision involving death or serious injury following a police pursuit.
“The IOPC will now carry out an independent investigation.”
