Teen struck on motorway was tasered by Police before death

The police watchdog has reported that an 18-year-old man who exited an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by officers before being struck by a vehicle and killed.

Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, died on the M5 in North Somerset late on Sunday night.

According to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), he was being transported to hospital when paramedics became concerned and pulled over on the hard shoulder of the northbound carriageway.

Police were called after Mr Smith walked onto the motorway. Body-worn camera footage shows an officer deploying a Taser, which caused him to fall to the ground, where he was subsequently hit by a car.

Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Mr Smith died at the scene. He has since been formally identified, and a post-mortem examination has taken place ahead of an upcoming inquest.

The IOPC is now examining the actions and decision-making of Avon and Somerset Police leading up to Mr Smith’s death.

Derrick Campbell, a director at the watchdog, offered condolences to Mr Smith’s loved ones and “everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident”.

He added that the IOPC will “independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser,” noting that initial statements have been obtained from the officer and ambulance personnel involved.