A 73-year-old pedestrian has died following injuries sustained when he was struck by a vehicle during a police pursuit in Taunton town centre. According to BBC News, officers in a marked patrol vehicle were pursuing a car along East Reach when the collision occurred at approximately 23:15 GMT on Friday. The man was transported to hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries on Sunday afternoon.
Jack Hawkings, 23, from Wellington in Somerset, has been charged with death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and driving without insurance or a licence. He is scheduled to appear at Taunton Magistrates' Court to face these charges.
What triggered the police pursuit?
Officers initiated the pursuit after observing that the vehicle was an Audi A3 with no front number plate. The chase through the town centre lasted only moments before the collision with the pedestrian occurred.
What happened after the crash?
Police officers ended the pursuit immediately following the impact and provided emergency medical treatment to the injured man before paramedics transported him to hospital. The officers and staff involved in the incident have been offered welfare support by the force.
What is the police investigation status?
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that the incident has triggered a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and collision. Two women, aged 21 and 22, who were arrested alongside Hawkings, have been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
How can witnesses help?
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the incident to come forward. Those with details can contact the force using incident reference 5226360682.
Context of recent incidents
This fatal collision adds to a series of serious traffic incidents in the Taunton area. A separate fatal collision occurred on East Reach on 1 October, when a 16-year-old boy died after an electric motorbike carrying two riders collided with a car that was stationary at traffic lights.
Key Facts
- A 73-year-old man died on Sunday afternoon from injuries sustained during a collision on Friday night in Taunton town centre
- The collision occurred during a police pursuit of an Audi A3 that had no front number plate
- Jack Hawkings, 23, has been charged with death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and driving without insurance or a licence
- The Independent Office for Police Conduct is conducting a mandatory investigation into the incident
- Police are seeking witnesses and have assigned incident reference 5226360682 for information
