Inquest opens into death of man who was Tasered by police and hit by car after getting out of ambulance on motorway
An investigation has been opened into the death of a man who was shocked by the police and hit by a car after getting out of the ambulance on the highway.
Logan Smith, 18, from Weston-super-Mare, was being taken to hospital by ambulance on November 30 when the vehicle had to be pulled over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound due to concerns from staff on board.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said Mr Smith got out of the ambulance near the Weston-super-Mare junction and entered the live lanes of the motorway.
In the incident, which started around 23:00 at night, ambulance officers called Avon and Somerset Police for help, and a single police officer arrived at the scene shortly after.
The IOPC has previously said the officer attempted to engage Mr. Smith, then discharged his stun gun, causing him to fall to the ground.
Mr Smith was later killed when he was struck by a car traveling on the southbound carriageway.
On Thursday afternoon, Avon’s deputy coroner, Dr Avon, appeared at Avon Coroner’s Court in relation to Mr Smith’s death. An investigation was opened by Peter Harrowing.
Coroner Alexis Camp said Mr Smith’s death was confirmed at the scene and he was later identified by a fingerprint expert at the morgue.
Logan Smith, 18, died in a car crash on the M5 after being tasered by a police officer.
M5 taken the night Logan died after being hit by a car on the southbound carriageway
“The circumstances are that the deceased is known to have died after being struck by a vehicle on the M5 motorway on 30 November 2025,” Ms Camp said.
‘The circumstances leading to his death are being investigated.’
Miss Camp, pathologist Dr. Russell Delaney’s statement said multiple injuries were the provisional cause of death, pending the results of laboratory examinations.
He confirmed that no date had been given for when the police or IOPC investigations would be concluded.
Dr Harrowing listed Mr Smith’s family, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Avon and Somerset Police, the driver of the vehicle that hit Mr Smith, and insurance companies as persons of interest in the investigation.
The investigation was subsequently postponed, with the review of the case scheduled for March 30.
The IOPC has previously said it is investigating ‘actions and decisions’ taken by police before Mr Smith’s death.
‘The body-worn video footage we viewed shows the officer attempting to engage Logan and shortly thereafter firing his stun gun, causing Logan to fall to the ground,’ he said.
Logan was in the ambulance on the way to hospital when paramedics stopped on the rough shoulder of the M5.
Logan had a passion for motorcycles and studied plumbing at Weston College
‘A short time later he was hit by a car traveling on the southbound carriageway. Despite immediate first aid, Logan unfortunately died at the scene.’
Following Mr Smith’s death, Avon and Somerset Police said the officer on duty attempted to take him to safety to reduce the risk to himself and other citizens.
IOPC director Derrick Campbell said: ‘My thoughts and sympathies are with Logan’s family and friends and everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident.
‘We would like to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser.’
Speaking at the time, Joanne Hall, assistant chief constable at Avon and Somerset Police, said the police’s thoughts were with Mr Smith’s family.
‘This incident has had a significant impact on our officers and ambulance crews who are understandably incredibly distressed by what happened,’ he said.
‘As well as providing support to the man’s family, we are ensuring that appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for our staff and also for members of the public who were directly involved or witnessed the incident.’
After his death, tributes were paid online.
Someone said; ‘RIP Logan, I will miss you, thank you for being there for me over the years, you will be remembered.’
“Rest in peace Logan, you will be missed little brother, heartbroken is an understatement,” added another.
One wrote: ‘RIP Logan, I didn’t know you very well but we had some good times. You’re in a better place and we’ll all be proud of you.’
Another said: ‘RIP Logan, taken too soon. Thoughts are with your family and friends x’
‘Relax Logan, we were talking to you yesterday. You will be missed. “Thoughts are with your family ******,” another wrote.
