Police said the driver of the car had no chance of escaping the Mitsubishi and died at the scene.
The dramatic chase unfolded after police tried to bring the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up to a stop as it sped down the A1 in County Durham.
Police cars and helicopter were pursuing a Mitsubishi along the A1(M) near Durham at 5.40am when it crossed the carriageway and hit a Peugeot heading south.
An innocent driver was killed when a stolen 4x4 being chased by police careered across a motorway and into his car
But the driver of the powerful truck swung the wheel away and smashed into the central reservation, flipping into the opposite carriageway.
The Peugeot was crushed and the was man declared dead at the scene. The driver of the stolen Mitsubishi was undergoing surgery yesterday.
A police spokesman said the officers involved in the incident were 'left badly shocked,' after the chase and that the Independent Police Complaints Commission was investigating the accident.
Police said the stolen truck followed the A167 road before turning onto the A1M and heading north.
At the Bowburn interchange police tried to stop the car using their own vehicle.
Police said the motorist had 'no chance' of getting out of the way of the stolen 4x4
A spokesman said: 'Near the Bowburn interchange a controlled attempt was made to bring the car to a halt.
'In an attempt to avoid this the Mitsubishi hit the central reservation and flipped onto the southbound carriageway.
'It hit an oncoming Peugeot car, causing severe injuries to the driver, who died at the scene.
Police were chasing a stolen car when it flipped into the opposite carriageway, killing an innocent driver
'The male driver of the Mitsubishi was injured and has been undergoing surgery at the University Hospital of North Durham.
'A full investigation is underway and the matter has been refered to the IPCC by Durham Police.'
The motorway is currently closed in both directions as police continue their investigations into the tragedy.
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