Teen killed and two arrested as car crashes into tree after ‘failing to stop for police’

A 17-year-old boy has been killed after a car hit a tree[1] moments after it allegedly failed to stop for police. Detectives said the teenager was killed after the vehicle he was in struck the tree near the junction of Coombs Road and Amber Way in Halesowen, near Dudley. Two other teenagers[2], both 16, were taken to hospital with injuries following the crash, which happened just after 3.15am today (January 5).

Both of the youths have now been arrested on suspicion of theft. The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, West Midlands Police[3] confirmed. Collision reconstruction experts were still working at the scene this afternoon and the road remained closed, Birmingham Live reported.

A force spokesman said: "A teenager has died following a collision in Halesowen during the early hours of this morning. The 17-year-old boy was in a car which failed to stop for police moments before hitting a tree, near the junction of Coombs Road and Amber Way, at just after 3.15am.

"Sadly nothing could be done to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two 16-year-olds who were also in the car have been taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be serious.

They have been arrested on suspicion of theft. "The road has been closed while emergency services and collision reconstruction experts establish the circumstances of the collision. The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is normal procedure."

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a car that had crashed into a tree on Coombs Road at 3.17am. Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene. "On arrival we discovered three male patients, one of whom was found to have suffered critical injuries in the incident.

Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

"A second patient was treated for serious injuries and a third for injuries not believed to be serious, before they were both taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham."

References

1. ^ hit a tree (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ teenagers (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ West Midlands Police (www.mirror.co.uk)