Officer investigated after Tasered teen dies on M5

A police officer who Tasered a teenager on the M5 just before he was hit by a car is to be investigated for misconduct, the police watchdog has said.

Logan Smith, 18, was being taken to hospital in an ambulance at 23:00 BST on 30 November last year when it pulled over on the hard shoulder near Weston-super-Mare because of safety concerns.

Smith got out and went on to the motorway, prompting a police response, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. An officer used his Taser on Smith after which the teenager was hit by a car and fell to the ground. He died at the scene.

The IOPC probe into the use of force was launched after a mandatory referral by Avon and Somerset Police.

The watchdog said that the officer tried to interact with Smith before discharging his Taser.

Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, fell into a live lane of the motorway and was struck by a car travelling Southbound.

He was given medical treatment but died at the scene.

The IOPC said it was 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.

Having considered the evidence currently available, the watchdog said it believed there was an indication that the officer may have breached the police standards of behaviour at the level of misconduct.

It said that the potential misconduct it had identified was in relation to the officer's decision to use their Taser.

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.

So far, the watchdog said its inquiries showed that the Taser functioned normally when discharged.

If the allegation of misconduct is proven, the officer could face disciplinary action such as a final written warning. It would not result in a sanction of dismissal.

A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said it would continue to fully cooperate with the IOPC's work.

"Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Logan's family who are receiving updates from the IOPC about its investigation," the spokesperson said.

"We continue to provide support for the officers who were involved in the police attendance on the night Logan died."

IOPC Director Derrick Campbell said his thoughts remained with Smith'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," he said.

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

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