Two dead and four arrested after police pursuit ends in crash in Leeds

Two people died early on Sunday, 15 November, after a BMW that had failed to stop for police in Leeds crashed into another car. The collision happened at a junction of Gelderd Road and Lowfields Road, and four people from the BMW have since been arrested.

The pursuit and the collision

Police said a blue BMW 123D did not halt for a police vehicle in Gelderd Road, Leeds, and the chase began at 12.44am (00.44 GMT). The BMW then struck a white Volkswagen Scirocco that was turning into Gelderd Road from Lowfields Road. The junction is surrounded by several car dealerships. The 22-year-old man at the wheel of the Volkswagen, from York, was killed at the scene. His 23-year-old female passenger, also from York, was declared dead at hospital soon afterwards, according to the force.

Arrests and injuries in the BMW

A 39-year-old man from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, who was in the BMW, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police also suspect him of driving with cannabis above the prescribed limit, and he remains in custody. Three other occupants of the BMW, a 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 16 and 17, were taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. All three have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. In total, four people have been arrested, and all of them were in the BMW.

Investigation and appeal

West Yorkshire Police has referred the incident itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the watchdog has opened an independent investigation. Gelderd Road remains closed, and drivers are being told to avoid the area and take alternative routes. Anyone with dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV footage of the incident is asked to contact officers via 101 or online, quoting reference 13260649342.