An inquest has opened into the death of a man who was Tasered by the police and hit by a car after getting out of an ambulance on a motorway.
Logan Smith, 18, from Weston-super-Mare, was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance on November 30 when the vehicle had to pull over on the hard shoulder of the M5 northbound carriageway, due to the concerns of staff on board.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) previously said Mr Smith got out of the ambulance near the junction for Weston-super-Mare and entered the live lanes of the motorway.
Ambulance staff called Avon and Somerset Police for assistance during the incident, which began at around 11pm, and a single-crewed officer arrived at the scene a short time later.
The officer attempted to engage with Mr Smith, then discharged their Taser, causing him to fall to the ground, the IOPC said previously.
Mr Smith was then struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway and died from his injuries.
On Thursday afternoon, an inquest into Mr Smith’s death was opened at Avon Coroner’s Court by Dr Peter Harrowing, assistant coroner for Avon.
Coroner’s officer Alexis Camp said Mr Smith’s death was confirmed at the scene and he was later identified by a fingerprint expert at the mortuary.
Logan Smith, 18, died in a car crash on the M5 after being Tasered by a police officer
The M5 pictured on 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 on November 30 2025, when he was hit by a vehicle on the M5 motorway,’ Ms Camp said.
‘The circumstances leading to his death are under investigation.’
Ms Camp said a statement from pathologist Dr Russell Delaney gave a provisional cause of death as multiple injuries, pending results of laboratory investigations.
She confirmed that no date had been given for when the police or IOPC investigations would conclude.
Dr Harrowing listed Mr Smith’s family, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Avon and Somerset Police, the driver of the vehicle that struck Mr Smith and their insurer as interested persons in the inquest.
The inquest was then adjourned, with a review of the case set to take place on March 30.
The IOPC previously said it was investigating the ‘actions and decisions’ taken by the police, prior to Mr Smith’s death.
‘Body-worn video footage we have viewed shows the officer attempted to engage with Logan and a short time later discharged their taser, causing Logan to fall to the ground,’ he said.
Logan was in an ambulance on the way to hospital when paramedics stopped on the hard shoulder of the M5
Logan had a passion for motorcycles and studied plumbing at Weston College
‘Soon afterwards, he was struck by a car travelling along the southbound carriageway. Despite being given emergency first aid, Logan sadly died at the scene.’
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.
Derrick Campbell, director of the IOPC, said: ‘My thoughts and sympathies are with Logan’s family and friends and everyone affected by this shocking and tragic incident.
‘We want to reassure everyone that we will independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the use of a Taser.’
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.’
Tributes were paid online after his death.
One said; ‘RIP Logan, going to miss you, thank you for being there for me throughout the years, you will be remembered.’
‘Rest in peace Logan, you will be missed lil bro, heartbroken is an understatement,’ another added.
One wrote: ‘R.I.P Logan I didn’t know you well, but we had some good times You’re in a better place, and we will all do you proud.’
Another said: ‘RIP Logan, taken far too soon. Thoughts are with your family and friends x’
‘Rest easy Logan, was talking to you yesterday. You’re gonna be missed. Thoughts are with your family ******’, another wrote.
