A teenager that was killed on the M5 in Somerset on Sunday was tasered before the fatal crash, The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said.
The IOPC is currently investigating the “actions and decisions taken by Avon and Somerset Police” at the time of Logan Smith’s death.
Smith, 18, from Weston-super-Mare, was on his way to the hospital at around 11pm on November 30, in the back of an ambulance when it stopped on the hard shoulder due to concerns from the staff.
The teenager entered the live lanes of the motorway, as staff requested back-up.
The IOPC said that a single officer arrived at the scene. Body-worn video footage shows the officer attempting to engage with Mr Smith before later discharging a taser, causing the teenager to fall to the ground.
He was then struck by a car on the southbound carriageway shortly after and died at the scene.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with Logan’s family and friends and everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident.
“We want to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser.
“After being notified by the force, we sent our investigators to the police, post incident procedure, to begin gathering evidence.
“We have taken initial accounts from the officer and ambulance staff involved.
“We met with Logan’s family on Tuesday, to give our condolences, explain our role and to provide some further detail about our investigation, including a Taser being discharged during the incident.
“We will continue to keep them updated and they request that their privacy be respected at such a difficult time.”
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