Teenager fatally hit by car on motorway had been tasered by police, watchdog says

Teenager Killed on M5 After Being Tasered by Police, Watchdog Investigating

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation after 18-year-old Logan Smith was fatally struck by a car on the M5 shortly after being tasered by a police officer.

The incident happened at around 11pm on Sunday while Logan was being transported to hospital in an ambulance. The ambulance stopped on the hard shoulder of the northbound M5 in Somerset, near the junction for Weston-super-Mare, due to concerns raised by ambulance staff.

According to the IOPC, Logan exited the ambulance and moved into the live lanes of the motorway. Police were called to the scene, and body-worn camera footage reportedly shows an arriving officer discharging a Taser, causing Logan to fall to the ground.

Shortly afterward, Logan was hit by a car travelling on the southbound carriageway, resulting in fatal injuries.

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell described the event as “shocking and tragic,” offering condolences to Logan’s family and confirming that investigators are examining the actions and decisions of Avon and Somerset Police leading up to the teenager’s death. He added that the family has been briefed on the early stages of the investigation, including confirmation that a Taser was used.

The coroner has been informed, and both formal identification and a post-mortem examination have been completed.