A teenage boy has died following a two-car collision in South Bristol that occurred after a short police pursuit, prompting a mandatory referral to the police watchdog. The incident is being treated as a death following police contact.
Collision Details
The crash involved a white Nissan Juke and a black Audi S3 and happened on the A37 Wells Road at its junction with Airport Road and Wootton Park. The teenage boy, a passenger in the Nissan, was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of October 25.
Avon and Somerset Police said the crash followed a short police pursuit involving an unmarked police vehicle and the white Nissan Juke, which began just after 4am. A 17-year-old boy was later arrested at a residential property on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Police and Watchdog Response
The force has confirmed that Avon and Somerset's Professional Standards Unit has been informed and a mandatory referral made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as a death following police contact.
"Enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are at an early stage," the force's statement continued. "Pending any decision by the IOPC, the investigation is being overseen by a detective inspector from the Major Crime Investigation Team."
Casualties and Aftermath
Three other people were taken to hospital following the collision, with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. These included two teenagers who were also passengers in the Nissan and the driver of the Audi.
The 17-year-old boy under arrest was taken to hospital for assessment and discharged, and remains in police custody. Specialist officers have traced and informed the family of the boy who died and offered them support.
The road was closed for around 12 hours as investigations began, reopening at around 4pm yesterday afternoon. Police have asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam or other footage to call 101, quoting reference 5226347807.
