Police Officer under investigation for Weston teens M5 death

A police officer is under investigation after tasering a teenager from Weston-super-Mare who was then hit by a car and killed on the M5.

Logan Smith, 18, was being taken to hospital in an ambulance at 11pm on November 30 last year when the vehicle had to pull over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway, due to the concerns of staff on board.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Mr Smith exited the ambulance near the junction for Weston-super-Mare and entered the live lanes of the motorway.

An Avon and Somerset Police officer attempted to engage with Mr Smith on the motorway, then discharged their Taser, causing him to fall to the ground, the IOPC said. Mr Smith was then hit by a car.

A misconduct probe has now been launched by the watchdog, looking at whether the tactical options, including the use of Taser by the officer, were proportionate and reasonable and if relevant training and policies were followed.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said:

“Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Logan’s family and friends.

“We understand the profound impact losing Logan has had on his loved ones and we want to reassure everyone that we are carrying out a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

“As part of our investigation we have commissioned a report from an independent Taser expert.

“We have shared that report with Logan’s family and Avon and Somerset Police and we are considering its findings as part of our final determinations.

“We continue to update Logan’s family, the force and the coroner on the progress of our investigation.”

The IOPC said the potential misconduct relates to the officer’s decision to use their Taser, and it is also alleged the officer failed to carry out a pre-discharge check of their Taser, as required under Avon and Somerset Police protocol.