Teenage boy dies in Bristol crash after police pursuit; IOPC referral made

Left · 2A teenage boy died in a crash in south Bristol just after 4am on Sunday 25 October, after a police pursuit. 1 2 Left · 2The collision, between a white Nissan Juke and a black Audi S3, happened on the A37 Wells Road at its junction with Airport Road and Wootton Park. 2 1 Left · 1Avon and Somerset Police said the crash followed a short pursuit involving an unmarked police vehicle and the Nissan, and that both cars were being driven by members of the public. 2

Left · 1The boy who died was a passenger in the Nissan; the IOPC described him as a front-seat passenger who died at the scene. 1 Left · 2Three other people were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening: two teenage passengers from the Nissan and the man driving the Audi. 2 1 Left · 2Officers later arrested a 17-year-old boy at a residential property on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving; he was taken to hospital, discharged and remained in police custody. The coverage does not say whether he was the Nissan's driver. 2 1

Left · 2Because the death followed police contact, the force informed its Professional Standards Unit and made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). 2 1 Left · 1The IOPC said it is assessing the circumstances and will decide in due course whether an investigation is required, and offered condolences to the boy's family and friends. 1 Left · 1The force said enquiries are at an early stage and, pending any IOPC decision, the investigation is overseen by a detective inspector from the Major Crime Investigation Team. 2

Left · 2The boy's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. The A37 was closed for around 12 hours and reopened at about 4pm on Sunday, and police asked witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to call 101, quoting reference 5226347807. 2 1