A 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have died following a collision on Gelderd Road, Leeds, after a BMW allegedly failed to stop for police. Three teenagers were taken to hospital with injuries not considered life threatening.
The incident began at around 12.44am when a blue BMW 123D failed to stop for a police vehicle on Gelderd Road. A pursuit was commenced, and the BMW was involved in a collision with a white Volkswagen Scirocco which was turning into Gelderd Road from Lowfields Road.
Victims and Arrests
The driver of the Volkswagen, a 22-year-old man from York, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the same car, a 23-year-old woman from York, was pronounced deceased at hospital a short time later.
A 39-year-old man from Harrogate has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for cannabis in relation to the incident. He remains in custody.
Three other occupants of the BMW, two boys aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old girl, were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were not considered life threatening. They have each been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Police Appeal and Investigation
A scene and road closure remain in place on Gelderd Road, and drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has declared an independent investigation.
West Yorkshire Police has called for anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle in the time leading up to it, particularly anyone with relevant dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage, to contact officers via 101 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat quoting reference 13260649342.
