Community Reeling After Woman Killed During Police Chase at Golf Club

A tragic incident at Aston Wood Golf Club in Shenstone, Staffordshire, has led to multiple arrests as authorities investigate the death of Suzanne Cherry, a 62-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a van involved in a police chase.
The collision occurred on the morning of April 11, 2025, at approximately 10:25 a.m., when a grey Nissan van, pursued by West Midlands Police following reports of suspicious activity, hit Ms.
Cherry on the golf course.
She was rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries on April 15126.
Staffordshire Police have launched a murder investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
So far, six men have been arrested in connection with the case.
Initial arrests included a 51-year-old man from Bloxwich on suspicion of murder, a 22-year-old man from Dudley on suspicion of manslaughter and assisting an offender, and a 41-year-old man from Worcester on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The 41-year-old has since been released on conditional bail, while the other two remain in custody as detectives continue questioning them.
Further arrests were made on Good Friday in South Wales, where two men aged 36 and 26 from Coseley, West Midlands, were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Additionally, a 34-year-old man from Wednesbury was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and is currently held in custody.
Police have been granted extra time to question those still detained.
The investigation is ongoing, with police actively seeking information from the public, especially from anyone who may have been near Blake Street and Birmingham Road between Sutton Coldfield and Shenstone around the time of the incident.
Authorities have established a Major Incident Public Portal for submitting information and encourage witnesses to come forward.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is also investigating the events leading up to the collision, focusing on the police response to the van after reports of suspicious behavior.
This inquiry aims to clarify the circumstances under which West Midlands Police officers pursued the vehicle before the fatal crash.
Detectives are also searching for a man seen leaving the golf club on foot shortly after the collision, reconstructing his movements through witness statements and CCTV footage.
The Aston Wood Golf Club lies near the border of Staffordshire and the West Midlands, complicating jurisdictional aspects of the investigation.
This case highlights the serious risks involved in police pursuits and the tragic consequences that can arise for innocent bystanders.
According to research on police chases, high-speed pursuits carry significant dangers, and many law enforcement agencies are reviewing policies to balance public safety with the need to apprehend suspects.
The death of Suzanne Cherry has prompted renewed calls for careful evaluation of pursuit protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
Staffordshire Police continue to appeal for any information that could assist in bringing clarity and justice to this case.
The community’s cooperation remains vital as the investigation unfolds.