Two people die in Leeds collision after car fails to stop for police

A man and woman from York have died after their Volkswagen was hit by a car being pursued by police in Leeds early on Sunday, 15 November. West Yorkshire Police said a blue BMW 123D failed to stop for a police vehicle on Gelderd Road at 00:44 GMT, after which a pursuit began.

The BMW collided with a white Volkswagen Scirocco that was turning from Lowfields Road into Gelderd Road. The Volkswagen driver, a 22-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 23-year-old woman, died in hospital a short time later.

A 39-year-old man from Harrogate was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving above the prescribed cannabis limit. He remained in custody when police issued their appeal. Three other BMW occupants, boys aged 16 and 17 and a 16-year-old girl, were treated in hospital for injuries not considered life-threatening. All three were also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The arrests are part of an investigation and do not establish guilt. Police referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which declared an independent investigation into the circumstances.

Police said a scene and road closure remained in place when the appeal was published. They asked witnesses and anyone with relevant dashcam, phone or CCTV footage of the collision or the vehicles beforehand to contact them on 101, quoting reference 13260649342.