A TEENAGER who was killed in a collision with a car while on foot on the M5 had fled a police vehicle before she was hit, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed.
The girl, 17, was struck by the vehicle between Bridgwater and Taunton at around 11pm last night (November 11) and died at the scene, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed.
The road was closed for around 12 hours while investigations were carried out.
The force said a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog because of the recent prior police contact.
The IOPC revealed girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and left the vehicle shortly before the collision.
An IOPC spokesperson told The Guardian: “We have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 17-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle on the M5 near Taunton last night.
“We were advised by Avon and Somerset police that the girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and had got out of the vehicle shortly before the collision.
“We sent our investigators to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our sympathies are with the girl’s loved ones and everyone affected by her death.”
Avon and Somerset police have been approached for comment on the matter.
The police said in an initial statement: “Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. Our thoughts are with them.
“No one else was injured in the collision.
“The M5 is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries are carried out.
“A mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct due to recent prior police contact.”
Anybody who witnessed the collision or has any dashcam footage which could aid the police our investigation is asked to call 101 with log number 1170 of November 11.