The North's Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident in which a man was seriously injured during a PSNI chase in Co Derry last night.
A 23-year-old man was seriously injured after his car struck a tree on the Culmore Road, outside Derry, shortly before 4am.
He is understood to be in a critical condition in the city's Altnagelvin Hospital.
A PSNI spokesman said: "A Renault Megane car struck a tree after previously failing to stop for police.
"As police were following the car at the time of the collision the Police Ombudsman's office has been informed and is investigating."
The Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, heads an office which was set up in 2000 to provide an independent and impartial police complaints system.