A tragic incident on the M5 motorway has led to an investigation by the police watchdog after an 18-year-old man was Tasered by officers and subsequently hit and killed by a car.
The Incident on the M5
The events unfolded on the M5 near Weston-super-Mare. According to a statement from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the young man had initially been inside an ambulance before getting out onto the motorway. Police were called to the scene. The IOPC confirmed that a police Taser was deployed against the 18-year-old prior to him being struck by a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The precise circumstances leading to the man being in the ambulance and his subsequent exit onto the busy carriageway are central to the ongoing investigation. The IOPC, which examines incidents involving police forces in England and Wales, has begun gathering evidence, which will include accounts from officers involved, witness statements, and relevant footage.
Watchdog Investigation Launched
The IOPC has stated it is conducting an independent investigation into the full sequence of events, including the actions and decisions of the police officers present. A key focus will be the use of the Taser device and whether police procedures were correctly followed. Such investigations are standard following a death after police contact.
The incident occurred on 5 December 2025, as reported. The location, a major arterial route in the South West, would have been carrying high-speed traffic, compounding the extreme danger of anyone being on foot on the carriageway.
Community Impact and Ongoing Questions
Fatalities on UK motorways, particularly under such unusual and distressing circumstances, send shockwaves through local communities and raise significant questions for the authorities involved. The investigation will seek to establish a clear timeline and determine what, if any, alternative actions could have been taken.
The family of the deceased 18-year-old is being supported by specially trained officers. The findings of the IOPC investigation, which may take several months, will be crucial in providing answers to the family and informing any potential disciplinary or procedural changes.
This case highlights the complex and high-pressure situations police officers often face, where split-second decisions must be made in volatile and dangerous environments. The independent scrutiny of the watchdog is designed to ensure accountability and transparency for all parties involved.
