Teen was tasered by police before being hit and killed on M5 – probe launched

Logan Smith, 18, from Weston-super-Mare, fell to the ground and was hit by a car on the M5 after being tasered by a police officer who is now being investigated

17:06, 30 Apr 2026

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Logan Smith was hit by a car on the M5 last November(Image: Newsquest / SWNS)

A police officer is being investigated for tasering a teenager who was then hit by a car and killed.

Logan Smith, 18, from Weston-super-Mare, was being taken to hospital in an ambulance at 11pm on November 30 last year when the vehicle had to pull over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway [1], due to the concerns of staff on board.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Mr Smith got out of the ambulance near the junction for Weston-super-Mare and entered the live lanes of the motorway.

An Avon and Somerset Police [2] officer attempted to engage with Mr Smith on the motorway, then discharged their Taser, causing him to fall to the ground, the IOPC said.

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A general image of the M5 northbound between Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare

Mr Smith was then struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway and died from his injuries.

A misconduct probe has now been launched by the watchdog, looking at whether the tactical options, including the use of Taser by the officer, were proportionate and reasonable and if relevant training and policies were followed.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Logan's family and friends.

We understand the profound impact losing Logan has had on his loved ones and we want to reassure everyone that we are carrying out a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

"As part of our investigation we have commissioned a report from an independent Taser expert.

We have shared that report with Logan's family and Avon and Somerset Police and we are considering its findings as part of our final determinations.

"We continue to update Logan's family, the force and the coroner on the progress of our investigation."

The IOPC said the potential misconduct relates to the officer's decision to use their Taser, and it is also alleged the officer failed to carry out a pre-discharge check of their Taser, as required under Avon and Somerset Police protocol.

Following Mr Smith's death, Avon and Somerset Police said the on-duty officer had attempted to bring him to safety to reduce the risk to him and other members of the public.

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Joanne Hall, assistant chief constable at Avon and Somerset Police, speaking at the time, said the force's thoughts were with Mr Smith's family.

"This incident has had a significant effect on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly upset by what happened," she said.

"As well as providing support to the man's family, we are also making sure that the appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for those members of the public who were either directly involved or who witnessed the incident."

References

^ on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ High cholesterol symptoms includes 'smelly' warning sign (www.mirror.co.uk)
^ Keir Starmer heckled by protestors on visit to Golders Green to meet emergency services (www.mirror.co.uk)