Two people, a 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, have died after their car was involved in a collision with a BMW being pursued by police in Leeds on Sunday. The driver of the Volkswagen, a 22-year-old man from York, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 23-year-old woman from York, a passenger in the same car, died in hospital shortly after.
West Yorkshire Police stated that a blue BMW 123D failed to stop for a police vehicle on Gelderd Road at 12:44 am, leading to a pursuit. The BMW then collided with a white Volkswagen Scirocco that was turning into Gelderd Road.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the crash. A 39-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for cannabis. Three other occupants of the BMW – two boys aged 16 and 17, and a 16-year-old girl – were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
West Yorkshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has declared an independent investigation. An IOPC spokesperson confirmed that investigators were sent to the scene and police post-incident procedure to gather evidence, stating that inquiries are at a very early stage.
Police have appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with information, dashcam, mobile phone, or CCTV footage to contact officers, quoting reference 13260649342.