An inquest into the deaths of two teenagers whose fatal e-bike collision sparked a night of riots in Cardiff will examine their contact with police, the decisions of the officers, and how the teenagers lost control of the e-bike.
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died after the bike they were riding crashed on Snowden Road in the Ely area of the city in May 2023.
Scope of the inquest
At a pre-inquest review hearing held in Pontypridd, coroner David Regan said he was yet to reach a decision about whether the inquest would be heard by a jury or not.
Mr Regan said that the scope of the inquest would cover the circumstances leading to them coming by their deaths, contact between them and police officers from 5.35pm on May 22 until their deaths, decisions made by those officers in the context of any relevant guidance, policy or procedures, and the causative role of any police contact and the deaths.
It will also examine the reasons why Mr Evans appears to have lost control of the Suron e-bike on Snowden Road, the medical causes of the teenager's deaths, and the circumstances that led to Mr Evans being given the Suron e-bike approximately two weeks before his death.
Timeline and next steps
The coroner said he would make a decision about two issues at a further pre-inquest hearing next February. Mr Regan said the issues of article two and whether or not he will summon a jury would "remain under review" until then.
Mr Regan adjourned the inquest for a further pre-inquest hearing which will take place on February 12, 2027. The full inquest is currently due to begin on September 20, 2027, and last for 15 days.
The coroner said he believed 15 days would be sufficient whether he chooses to instruct a jury or not. Mr Regan apologised to the families that the case could not be heard until autumn next year but reassured them that a lot of "useful progress" was being made behind the scenes.
Background of the riot
Ely was gripped by hours of violence and vandalism after about 150 people attended a riot that broke out in Ely shortly after the fatal crash.
The rioting, which was the worst Cardiff had seen for a generation, saw bottles, bricks, burning projectiles and fireworks launched at police officers. Cars were tipped over and torched and mattresses were also set alight.
Earlier this year 30 people were sentenced for their roles in the large-scale public disorder. Ten youths had previously been sentenced for their part in the riot, and five adults have been sentenced for other offences related to the riot.
The disturbance caused widespread damage to homes, vehicles and property, and 31 police officers were injured. The CPS said the convictions represented one of the largest public order prosecutions undertaken in Wales.
Police conduct investigation
In August 2025 the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) concluded a South Wales Police officer should face a hearing into gross misconduct "over the accuracy of accounts he provided to colleagues after the collision incident".
Their investigation found no indication of contact between the police vehicle and the boys' e-bike immediately before the collision.
They said the officer has a case to answer regarding his driving and language to the boys at the scene of the collision, and added that his driving at the time may have been "outside his level of training and authority" and against College of Policing rules.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had previously announced there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against the police officer and said the boys' families had exercised their right under the victims' right to review to challenge this decision.
CCTV footage revealed a police van driving behind the teenagers earlier in the evening of the crash. However, the IOPC investigation determined it was half a mile away from the e-bike, on a different road, at the time of the fatal incident.
