Man, 18, struck on motorway Tasered before death
According to the police watchdog, an 18-year-old boy who was out of an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by police before being struck by a car and died. Logan Smith, a Weston-super-Mare man, was killed on the M5 in North Somersetshire on Sunday evening. He was admitted to the hospital after concerned paramedics stopped the ambulance on the hard shoulder of the M5's northbound carriageway, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). As Mr Smith stepped onto the carriageway, police were alerted, and the officer was caught on bodycam footage discharging their Taser, causing him to crash to the ground where he had been struck by a car.
Mr Smith was given emergency first aid but died on the scene. A post-mortem investigation has since been done ahead of a forthcoming inquest. Investigators at the IOPC are now looking into the activities and decisions taken by Avon and Somerset Police prior to Mr Smith's death. Derrick Campbell, the watchdog's chief, expressed concern for Mr Smith's family and friends, as well as
We want to tell everyone that we will independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser," he said, pointing out that initial reports had been obtained from the officer and ambulance personnel involved.everyone affected by this shocking and tragic event.
The IOPC met with Mr Smith's family on Tuesday to condolence and outline the probe, including the question of the Taser being discharged, according to Mr Smith.
Avon and Somerset Police Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said in a tweet shared after the shooting. "We're also making sure the right welfare policies are in place for our employees and also for those members of the public who were either directly affected or witnessed the incident.This incident has had a major effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are clearly distraught by what happened,
Follow BBC Bristol onFacebook,XandInstagram. [phone redacted]: Send your story suggestions to us by email or via WhatsApp.
