A teenage girl who was killed by a car while on foot on the M5 had fled a police vehicle before she was struck, it has emerged.
Avon and Somerset police initially said the motorway was closed between Bridgwater and Taunton in Somerset after the fatal collision involving a pedestrian and a car at 11pm on Monday.
The force said a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog because of the recent prior police contact.
On Tuesday, the IOPC revealed the 17-year-old girl was being transported to custody in a police vehicle and left the vehicle shortly before the collision.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “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 later confirmed the girl was being transported in a police vehicle and officers had stopped while heading northbound between junctions 25 and 24. The force said the girl left the vehicle when it was stationary.
DCS Rachel Shields said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the girl’s family. Overnight, we have updated her next of kin regarding what has happened and we will ensure they are supported by specially trained officers at what is an incredibly difficult time following the tragic loss of such a young life.”
The M5 has now fully reopened.
Shields continued: “We believe it is important that we are as transparent as possible at this early stage about the tragic circumstances. A critical incident was declared and our professional standards department notified overnight. A mandatory referral has been made to the IOPC.
“The IOPC has decided to take on the investigation independently, and we welcome the oversight it will give. We recognise this incident has had a significant effect on the devastated officers, plus members of the public, who witnessed what happened, as well as other officers and staff involved in our response. We will ensure staff are able to access any welfare support they may benefit from following this tragedy.”
